Captain sets the tone after Benfica slip-up: We kept... | OneFootball

Diogo Prioste, captain of Benfica's reserve team, believes that the match against Marítimo was closely contested, despite the final result. In the aftermath of the game, where the Eagles lost 2-1, the young Benfica midfielder said that the objective still stands and that Nélson Veríssimo's side has not lost its identity.

"A well-contested game by both teams. A balanced first half, with chances for both sides. They had the good fortune to score first," began the young Benfica midfielder, speaking to BTV at the end of the match, which was also attended by José Mourinho in the stands.

"We kept our identity, looking for the goal. Then, in my opinion, a bit against the run of play, still in the first half, we ended up conceding the second. I don't know whether it was a penalty or not – there's no point discussing that part. We went into the break 2-0 down," added Benfica's captain.

"We came out very motivated, looking for 2-1, and fortunately we managed to score early in the second half. Then they had two players sent off. We kept pushing for the equaliser, and then to go for the win, but the second goal just didn't come. A great effort from us," he added, while analysing the match against the island side.

"Congratulations to Marítimo, and our work goes on. We have a tough final stretch ahead, but we are Benfica – we fear no one. We always play the game to win, and we will keep working. Now it's time to rest, prepare for the next match, show up at full strength and give a new response," concluded Diogo Prioste, in remarks to BTV.

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