Benfica boss: Responsibility key in Champions League v strong side | OneFootball

Ivan Batista spoke about Benfica’s responsibility in the duel against Arsenal, one of the best teams in the world. The Eagles’ women’s football team faces the English side in a match counting towards the Champions League, and the Benfica coach spoke with journalists at a press conference.

"We can’t forget that we’re playing at home, the stature of the club we represent, and the responsibility that entails. We will approach this game the same way we approached an away game against the Italian champions, who were also favorites, and we competed right up to almost the last minute, perhaps against many predictions. We’ll try to do the same, in the same vein, in this game with Arsenal, a powerful team," began the Benfica coach.

The coach continued: "From a motivational standpoint, there’s not much to do, fortunately. It’s one of those games where everyone wants to be present. From a strategic standpoint, our reality, fortunately, is playing every three days. We also don’t have a large margin for major adjustments. We’ll try to be ourselves, stick to what makes us most comfortable, never forgetting who’s on the other side and the adversities that an Arsenal team — European champions — will pose."

Ivan Batista did, however, admit to some “strategic adaptations” to try to counter Arsenal’s attacking power, which, even so, "does leave itself exposed at times in transition." He did not reveal whether he would play with a back four or five, nor open up about any details of Benfica’s defensive tactics. He then drew a comparison between the BPI League and the Premier League before speaking about the absentees.

"Nycole [Raysla] is recovering. At the moment, she’s at home, because the concussion protocol requires it. She has not yet returned to training with us. She is naturally out, as previously communicated, for this game and for the League Cup match and, at this moment, apart from the long-term injuries [Andrea Falcón, Marta Salvador, Ana Borges and Andreia Norton], which were also communicated in due time, we have no other unavailable players from that standpoint," concluded Ivan Batista, ahead of Benfica vs. Arsenal.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.