António Simões slams Mourinho: “Benfica are worse, not better” | OneFootball

In an interview with Portal dos Dragões, António Simões expressed disappointment over losing the trophy, even though it is the third most important competition in the national football hierarchy.

“This is not the first time this has happened. I don't have that experience, as I belonged to a generation that won everything. I believe everyone is responsible, from top to bottom. How did these players end up at Benfica? Things should be discussed internally. We have to be honest. We are not better, but worse. José Mourinho's return has not been happy at all and has further worsened the club's situation, especially in the league, with a ten-point disadvantage to FC Porto. The football is poor. This creates distrust among the fans, who already know we will enter the field and play without quality. I am losing enthusiasm and the desire to watch Benfica play, it hurts to say this,” he expressed.

Outlook for the Classic with FC Porto

António Simões also commented on Nicolás Otamendi's expulsion, which occurred in the final moments of the match against Sporting due to an accumulation of yellow cards. The central defender will thus be absent from the game against FC Porto at Dragão, scheduled for the 14th, in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup.

“Tremendous naivety. I was captain of Benfica and was never sent off. We are talking about an experienced player, he must know how to address the referee. There was no need to show he was wrong. As a player, I learned that referees don't like being called out in front of an entire stadium. You have to be shrewd and not give them the power to act with the card. He didn't even think about FC Porto, the protests happened because of his temperament, he challenged the referee with his personality, with an authority that intimidates,” said the former forward, rejecting the idea that the team will enter the Classic weakened by the captain's absence.

“Otamendi is not worth two players. Benfica will not play with 10. Now, it will be a hostile environment and the team must show mental, psychological, and footballing capacity to achieve a positive result. This time, a draw [as happened in the league, with no goals] is not enough. Winning is the only solution,” he assured.

At the moment, José Mourinho is facing difficulties in forming the defensive line due to absences: Joshua Wynder is injured and António Silva is doubtful, leaving Tomás Araújo as the only available central defender.

“I have no problem if a youngster from the academy plays. It will be a test to see if he has what it takes for the main team. There will be no more demanding game than this. If that is the case, I recognize José Mourinho's ability to positively influence the player's mentality,” António Simões concluded.

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