Mourinho confirms absence for Farense v Benfica, will assess later | OneFootball

José Mourinho confirmed that Leandro Barreiro will not play against Farense. In a press conference, where he spoke about the challenges the Algarve team might pose, the Benfica coach announced the absence of the number 18 and also took the opportunity to wish Vasco Sousa a speedy recovery.

“Leandro tomorrow and on Monday we will see how he is. I take this opportunity to wish Vasco a good recovery, he seems like a great kid. May everything go well,” José Mourinho began, responding to the journalists present in the press room.

“Tomorrow, what is not on the field will be on the bench. It's not that we are going to take it easy, we are not going to take it easy. What we are going to change, the starting point of the change, is to give the players who deserve to play the opportunity to play,” the coach of the reds added.

“It's not that this player needs much rest. Otamendi will play, there are a couple who will not play, maybe two or three. Having these players on the bench gives me a certain security,” José Mourinho added, revealing that Benfica's captain will be a starter.

“We aim to win the knockout stage. It's another trip, we don't have the opportunity to play at home; when there's a draw, it will have to be someone else who is luckier,” he finally pointed out in the pre-match conference for the clash with Farense.

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