Mourinho on Benfica v Estrela: difficulties, absences and Rafa | OneFootball

José Mourinho gave, this Saturday, January 24th, a preview of the Benfica match against Estrela da Amadora, for the 19th round of the League, scheduled for Sunday, the 25th. The Eagles' coach analyzed the opponent, spoke about Rafa's return and lamented the physical problems that have affected the squad.

What does it take to break the goal?

"Breaking the goal by scoring. There are many ways to score goals. The powerful shot that fits with breaking the goal, but there’s also the pass to the goal, which is placing the ball and scoring. We’re playing very well over 80 meters, but then we don’t score the goals we should, considering how we play. We analyze everything in detail (..) Against Juve we had beautiful combinations, where if you score, they’d be fantastic. We’re missing those last 20 meters. Against Rio Ave we should have won by a completely different score. In Turin, against Juve, in the Champions League, we entered Juve’s box with the ball 34 times! That’s a lot. We can’t leave with zero [goals]. That’s why I use the term breaking the goal. We have to be more objective. Today’s training was about quick finishing. Not waiting to make an assist. Looking at the goal with different eyes.

Analysis of Estrela da Amadora:

"The game against Estrela isn’t easy to predict. Estrela was perhaps the team that changed the most in the market. They started by losing Sidny and now a center-back, Kikas, to Belgium, but four players have come in whom we’re trying to scout and get to know. It’s hard to see how they might fit in. This last result against Estoril is completely out of context. (...) Our reference is other games, not the one against Estoril. It’s a team that works well, with fast players. It’s a team that can cause us problems. After the Juve game, we had three days. And that allows us to arrive in great shape and continue the championship we’re having: undefeated and with more points than last season. But obviously, playing at home against Estrela, any result other than a win would be very bad for us."

Rafa Silva:

"He’s always an asset. He’s a great player with a lot of experience. Besides that, he has total knowledge of what it means to play for Benfica. In any context and position, he’s a player who has a lot to give. He hasn’t played in months. He’s been training individually and we can’t expect the best Rafa to show up tomorrow at Estádio da Luz. He’s a player we need and who has already made himself available – with his DNA, light and muscular, with no history of injuries. He’s available to play and tomorrow he will play. My parking spot was Rafa’s spot in the years he played for Benfica. I thought it would be nice for him to come home with everything that means. And I thought that also meant having the parking spot."

Injured players

"Imagine our squad with Bah, Lukebakio, Manu at 100%, with Bruma at 100%, with Ríos... We’re talking about a richer squad, more options, and better adapted to Benfica’s demands. These are situations that have limited us. It is what it is. The very situation of three serious shoulder injuries, requiring surgery or long conservative treatment. Four injuries of this type... Obviously it’s limiting. It’s a shame. Our squad, with everyone, is much stronger than the squad we’ve been fighting with."

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