Bruno Lage shrugs off 'detail' before Fenerbahçe v Benfica | OneFootball

Benfica will travel to Turkey to face Fenerbahçe next Wednesday, August 20th, in a match counting for the first leg of the play-off to access the regular phase of the Champions League. Bruno Lage held the usual pre-match press conference and, when asked about José Mourinho's resume, the coach said those matters are set aside.

"I would add to your question that this is also the shortest pre-season ever for Benfica. Full credit to the players. What they are doing, giving up vacations, players arriving and immediately performing... Full credit to them. We are satisfied. There's no time to look back and we know we still have a lot to give", he began by saying.

Bruno Lage faces José Mourinho again, after the Eusébio Cup match played this pre-season: "A very competitive game. They are two good teams. Looking at the squads, they have the ability to enter the Champions League directly. On the other side, there is a coach with an enviable resume, but that is set aside".

"We have to focus on what we control. It will be very important for us. It's not a decisive game. Let the decision be made in front of our fans at Luz", added the coach. The second leg will be played on August 26th, a week after tomorrow's match. Bruno Lage seeks to bring a comfortable advantage to Lisbon.

Benfica will perform in front of about 50,000 fervent Fenerbahçe supporters. Referee Daniel Siebert will blow the whistle to start the match at 8:00 PM. It is the second time the German has been appointed to officiate a match of the Eagles, with the last time being present in the 3-1 victory against Salzburg in 2023.

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