Today in Lodz, Poland, the first match in the playoff round of the Champions League between Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica Lisbon will take place. And the day before this meeting, the head coach of the Portuguese club Roger Schmidt gave a scheduled pre-match press conference.
- This is a match for qualification to the Champions League, so I expect to see a very motivated team in the opponents who will do everything possible to stay in the tournament.
Dynamo Kyiv is a very good team, in the previous two rounds they played their return matches on the road - in Turkey, against Fenerbahce and in Graz against Sturm, where it is not easy to play, but in both cases, Dynamo in these meetings decided in her favor the outcome of a two-match confrontation. This suggests that the team has quality, mentality and good physical shape. Even taking into account the fact that she has not yet played in the national championship.
Let's see how Dynamo's game will be built in the upcoming match, because our opponent will have to replace two disqualified players (Sydorchuk, Garmash). But finding these kinds of solutions is also part of football.
From the point of view of the game, Dynamo Kyiv players can do anything, tactically they are very flexible: when necessary, they attack, when necessary, they defend. In a word, I expect an open game and a good opponent.
- Did the preparation for this game differ due to the fact that Dynamo does not have such a competitive volume of matches as Benfica?
- Not. This season, Dynamo have already played four matches in the Champions League qualification. We know the opponent well. Also last season, Benfica played against Dynamo. Since then, there have been not many changes in the composition of the Kyiv team. We prepared as best we could, the main thing is that we concentrate and believe in ourselves. We must play very well tactically, respect the opponent and make some adjustments to the game depending on the actions of the opponent.
- Is this the most important game of the season for Benfica?
“The next game is always the most important. Of course, it will be great for us, for the club, the fans and everyone else to play in the Champions League. This is the best club competition in the world. Playoff games at the beginning of the season are always an important moment in which the task of reaching the Champions League is solved. We have two games with Dynamo Kyiv and the opportunity to show that we are the best and deserve to play in the Champions League.
- What are your hopes for this challenge?
- This is the first time I've been asked this question. I have no hope, I try to prepare the team as best as possible. So far, we have shown that we can play good football and win. We showed that we can attack and defend as a team.
And as for hopes... I will say this: I just hope to always keep the level. I believe in myself and I think that we have good chances to play well against Dynamo.
— What is Benfica's advantage over Dynamo Kyiv?
— It's very difficult to say. I think both teams deserve to play in the playoffs. And they both deserve to play in the Champions League group stage, but only one can get there. We must show in these two matches that we are better than the opponent, and this is our task. The situation is very simple and clear: 90 minutes in the first match, another 90 minutes next week, after which one of the two teams will be in the Champions League. We want to be this team.
- David Neres missed the last two matches of Benfica. Will he be able to play against Dynamo?
— Yes, he is preparing for the game. Neres has been working the last few days with the team on a par with everyone else, he is 100 percent back in the ranks.