Mourinho’s response to journalist after Benfica v Gil Vicente: You’ll laugh | OneFootball

huntsville:

analyzed the Benfica - Gil Vicente (2-1), match of the seventh round of the Betclic League, which took place at the Estádio da Luz, this Friday, September 26. Among various topics, he was questioned about the inclusion of Dodi Lukebakio in the starting eleven, since the player was not 100%. The coach mentioned that he wanted to 'settle' the game early on.

"You're going to laugh, but the goal was to start well. And who started well was Gil. We wanted to start strong, but we didn't. But we had people on the field to give a good response. The move he makes on the penalty only he in this team can do, deep move, control is great," he said at the press conference.

The Belgian winger was a starter for the first time: "I wanted to play him from the start to start well, we don't have pure wingers in abundance. I wanted to give width. Gil Vicente defends with four and when he leaves, he leaves the team not very well prepared for the transition. I thought he could score more goals," explained the helmsman of Benfica.

José Mourinho justified not betting on Franjo Ivanovic on the right wing:  "Ivanovic on the right can't, he loses the ball a lot. I went with Lukebakio, I thought more about the first half. You want to secure, but at the same time, have someone who can attack and be dangerous, so I left him a little more".

Regarding the match, the coach acknowledges that the players are very tired: "To bite a lot you need good physical condition and freshness that we don't have. The team is tired, by the second it already starts to be difficult and by the third it is almost impossible. I had this experience in Leiria, when there is quality which is the case of Gil, of the coach, they can play eye to eye with the big ones when they are in difficulty, and we are in difficulties. Now with three days we can clear a little fatigue. Without biting a lot, they were resilient. The spirit, the resilience, the fighting for Benfica. Then it was not played like Benfica, it was not thought like Benfica, individual and collective quality was lacking. But the important thing was the three points and we managed to get them," he concluded.

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