Bruno Lage reflects on Benfica’s squeezed 2025/26 start and credits his players | OneFootball

Bruno Lage has reflected on Benfica’s 2025/26 build-up, praising the squad’s work amid a squeezed schedule as they won the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.

According to Glorioso 1904, the former head coach set out his thoughts in an Instagram post with video, noting the Club World Cup had shortened preparation time.

He said players had only 15 days of holiday and 17 days to the first match, with three friendlies, the Eusébio Cup and 10 training sessions, before the first target was hit with the 2025 Supertaça.

Lage hailed it as another life experience and lauded everyone’s work, stressing the players deserved full credit for starting aggressively and with the right mindset.

Images of Enzo Barrenechea in a fierce challenge accompanied the message, underlining the intensity he felt defined the start.

Lage began the season at Benfica and beat Sporting to lift the Supertaça, the club’s only trophy in 2025/26. A loss to Qarabag in the Champions League regular phase led to his departure in September.

Source: Glorioso 1904