In exclusive statements on the Reds’ television, as there was no press conference, Mourinho ended up never directly addressing the case, at a time when criticism was pouring in from around the world condemning the attitude of the Portuguese coach and Benfica itself, and focused all his attention on Saturday’s duel with AVS, in the 23rd round of the I League.
“AVS is now playing better. The team is better organized defensively. But, if we want to keep looking up and not down, if we want to keep looking at FC Porto and Sporting and not at Gil Vicente or Sporting de Braga, we have to win this game”said the 63-year-old coach.
In addition to Prestianni, who is suspended, Mourinho said that Norwegian Aursnes will also miss the match against the bottom team in the championship, but for physical reasons.
“He will have to stop so we can have any hope that he can play in Madrid. He is not in the best condition to go to the game”he explained.
The meeting between Benfica and AVS, in the 23rd round of the Portuguese Football League, is scheduled for 6pm on Saturday, at Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, with Miguel Fonseca (AF Porto) officiating.
Benfica remains in third place, with 52 points, while AVS, which is coming off its first victory in the I Liga (3-0 over Estoril Praia), is bottom, with eight.
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