Rui Costa points the finger at players after Benfica v Braga: lamentable | OneFootball

Rui Costa considers Benfica’s elimination from the League Cup against Braga, by 3-1, “regrettable.” After the setback in the semi-finals, the club president gave statements to journalists, stating that José Mourinho’s team’s performance in the first 45 minutes was not positive.

“We leave here defeated in a competition we wanted to win. The first half did not justify this. It was already planned for the players to spend the night in Seixal. It’s not a punishment, it’s a precaution for the upcoming games. What is regrettable is that we are not here on Saturday due to our own responsibility,” Rui Costa began by saying.

“Benfica always plays all or nothing. It’s true that the league is the most important competition. All competitions are to be won. What we did in the first half did not justify us winning the competition. I deeply regret that,” concluded the visibly dejected Benfica president.

At the end of the match, and even before Rui Costa spoke, José Mourinho had already been quite harsh on the Eagles’ players: “The first half is far too poor for a team that even started well, with the ball and with a goal opportunity. Then, inexplicably, with a penalty awarded and later overturned by VAR, which should have been a positive boost, from there on there was a collapse. From a technical point of view, a disaster. Players making absolutely incredible mistakes.”

Benfica will be back in action next Wednesday, January 14, at 8:45 p.m., away to Porto. The match is for the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup and the Eagles have only one goal: to secure a place in the next stage of the main competition.

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