Mourinho grateful, ex-coach hails Benfica starlet’s real talent | OneFootball

In the final minutes of the match between Benfica and Chaves, José Mourinho decided to bring Ivan Lima onto the field, with the athlete making his debut. Days after the match, the Eagles' number 90 was highly praised by a coach who guided him in the youth ranks of the national team.

Speaking with the national press, Daniel Barreira, former coordinator of the FPF, recalled the moment he saw Ivan Lima in action for the first time: "It was during that training camp that Ivan gained greater prominence, becoming a regular presence in the subsequent levels of the national teams".

Next, the former coach described José Mourinho's new protégé as a high-rotation player in attack: "He is a vertical, powerful, fast winger, who is stronger when he has space behind the opponent's defensive line, being very effective especially during offensive transitions".

"Ivan is a player who, within a style of play that seeks a more vertical game, a game of corridors, with one-on-one situations and crosses, can be an asset to play in the Portuguese Primeira Liga", explained the former FPF coordinator, in an interview with the newspaper Record.

Finally, Daniel Barreira acknowledged that Ivan Lima's qualities are important and that the winger deserves more opportunities in the main team: "He has characteristics that are increasingly rare in Portuguese football. With the support he has been given by the club in his development, he can have an important role in the Portuguese league".

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