Jorge Jesus made no less than four substitutions at the same time twenty minutes before the end of the game between Benfica and PSV (2-1). Wesley Sneijders spoke in the studio of RTL about ‘Benfica’s smartest moment’, because the trainer of the Portuguese top club interrupted a strong phase of PSV. However, Jesus indicates on Benfica’s website that it was not his intention to make four substitutions.
“I was going to make three substitutions, but Diogo Goncalves suffered from his hip and was unable to continue. There was confusion as it was not the intention to make four substitutions. The four new powers gave us a little more power in the axis. Weigl and João Mário were no longer there and can normally win many duels”, explains Jesus. Roman Yaremchuk, Julian Weigl, Diogo Gonçalves and Pizzi left the field and were replaced by Gonçalo Ramos, Everton, André Almeida and Soualiho Meïté respectively. “We had to play a little more conservatively and the substitutions allowed us to hold on to the lead, because we got a bit more possession of the ball. Only a strong Benfica can beat a strong team like PSV.”
“We played very well in the first half, tactically and technically. The first part of the second half was less, our attackers were forced to defend a lot. We were less fresh and we tried to change that with the substitutions. That made it more stable,” continues the Benfica trainer. He emphasizes that his team had to do everything possible to control Noni Madueke and also praises Eran Zahavi “He is very agile and has many qualities.”
“Only a great Benfica can win both games. We won the first and are now preparing to win the second in the Netherlands. Of course we now have an advantage, but that offers no guarantees,” says Jesus. “We have started the season well, with victories over strong teams. PSV are also a great team, but we are confident in our chances of reaching the group stage of the Champions League.”
Rafa Silva concludes that Benfica could do better against PSV. “Every time PSV lost the ball, the organization was a bit lost. That is typical for Dutch teams. We could have made more use of those situations, but we knew it was going to be a very difficult game,” the Benfica attacker said. “PSV has the quality to be in the Champions League, but hopefully Benfica will be in the group stage next week. That is our goal.”
André Ramalho
André Ramalho shows hope after the match in Lisbon towards the return. “We would rather have won, but we know our qualities and know what we have to do,” it says Eindhovens Dagblad from the mouth of the Brazilian defender. “Before half-time we already showed that we have enough quality in the team, but it didn’t work out. Most importantly, we fought back well. We showed our true face in the second half. We had a lot of chances and deserved that goal, and actually a second one.”