Mourinho praises players after win, shifts focus to improvements at Benfica | OneFootball

After the victory over Farense that secured Benfica's qualification for the quarterfinals of the Cup, José Mourinho did not hold back on praising his players. The coach highlighted the team's attitude, which was “completely the opposite” compared to previous games. According to him, the team started “strong,” sought the goal, and maintained control of the game, winning defensive duels and second balls. “The guys who have played less gave a very good response, those who have played more were key. I am truly happy with the game,” said Mourinho, emphasizing his satisfaction with the overall performance.

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Confidence amidst absences

Mourinho addressed Otamendi's penalty kick, explaining that it was a decision by the coaching staff. “It's our choice. He's a player who has the opportunity to go and score,” he said. The coach also commented on the exits of Samuel Soares, with a “muscular sensation,” and Sudakov and Barreiro, after “aggressive contacts.” Despite the injuries, the team shows good physical and mental health. “The team is in good physical and mental health,” he declared, showing confidence in recovery and the continuation of the good moment.

The coach reiterated that the team “will never be exactly as I want,” emphasizing the need for continuous improvements. “There are always things to improve: we weren't the worst team in the world when we didn't have good results or performances, and now we're not the best team in the world because we have positive results and the team has played well,” he pondered.

Mourinho praised the team's solidity, the identification of processes, the timing of pressure, and transitions. “The team is doing well, it's in a good moment. We hope, on Monday, against a great opponent, to confirm this moment,” he concluded.

Debuts and individual performance

Regarding Manu's performance, Mourinho revealed that he didn't expect the player to play the full 90 minutes, but the control of the game allowed it. “He is a very important player for us. It's very comfortable for me to have Enzo and Manu,” he commented.

Banjaqui's debut was also praised. “I have a lot of confidence in him, I like him a lot,” said the coach, who opted for a cautious approach due to the opponent's strength in set pieces. “Banjaqui is another of the many young players at Benfica who truly has the legs to go far,” he concluded.

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