‘Fresher’ Gilberto, players at risk and comparisons to Arsenal: everything Roger Schmidt has to say – Benfica

This Friday, Roger Schmidt reviewed the match against Gil Vicente, the match of the 30th round scheduled for tomorrow, at 20:30, in Barcelos.
What are your expectations for the Gil Vicente match?
“It’s another away game, tough. Gil Vicente hasn’t been so good in the last 5 games, but they’re a very good team, especially at home. From behind, with confidence, they’ve got a good striker, all their attacking players are good, I think it’s going to be tough. We’ve trained well.” This week, the players are in good spirits, they’ve got form. Gonzalo Guedes is better, Bah is back, we had a good time, we’re looking forward to playing tomorrow and of course we need the three points.”

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Do you consider it an advantage or a problem to play before FC Porto?
“Honestly, I didn’t even know that. For me it’s important to focus on our game. We know what we have to do, this season we’ve been doing game by game, just focusing on the next game. It makes no difference to play before or after other teams.” “.

Do you think Benfica is in a similar position as Arsenal in the Premier League?
“It’s hard to compare teams and leagues. Arsenal, up until a few weeks ago, were having a very good season, were ahead, could win the Premier League, but I usually say there are 34 rounds here, 38 in the Premier League, and the deciding thing It is to always be on top at all stages of the season and in good shape. It’s important to have points, no matter if it’s in Portugal, Spain or England. We have to show that we have capacity and energy. In the Premier League it’s all up in the air, but Their situation cannot be compared to ours.”

There are 5 matches left until the end of the season, is Benfica the team with the most complicated schedule?
“Yes, we played with Sporting and Spitra Braga. It’s a difficult schedule but I don’t want to change anything, it’s all in our hands. It’s not easy to be a champion, and matches at the end of the tournament are always difficult. But we’re focused on the match with Gil Vicente tomorrow.”

Did you speak with Gilberto before or after the Estoril match? He was available and chose to put Aursnes at right back…
“I talk to the players as often as necessary, and last week I made a decision: I put Aursnes on the right wing because in my opinion Gilberto was tired, had played too many games, and was not at his best physically. That’s why I put Frederik in that position. Gilberto is an important player, He’s fresher and we’ll see how many times he plays until the end of the season.”

Otamendi, Grimaldo and António Silva are in danger of seeing a fifth yellow card. Will you save tomorrow?
“Let’s see. I know that, but at the moment we are fully focused on tomorrow’s game. Ristic is back, we have good substitutes for all positions. Morato and Lucas Verissimo are training well and if we have to replace a player, do it” We will do it. We’ll soon see how it goes tomorrow and who will be available for Capy Braga.”

Rafa has not registered for a few days. What happened?
“He knows he can score more goals. He’s not a player who focuses on that, he’s loyal to the team, he’s having an excellent season. He’s scored more in the Champions League than the Portuguese league, but he’s often involved in attacking positions. He plays excellently between lines, and he has a lot of acceleration, and it doesn’t matter if he scores or not.

Is Benfica interested in Kamada?
“I have nothing to say about that. I’m focused on the here and now.”