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Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is wary of a “straightforward and straightforward” aspect of Rangers, and is putting a noisy aspect into their long road to their slaughter.
Schmidt is under increasing scrutiny in Portugal after his side lost back-to-back games to rivals Sporting and Porto, the latter with a 5-0 thrashing that blew up the title race. Reports suggest his task is in jeopardy if he doesn’t get a quick reaction against Gers, who arrive in town for the first leg of the Europa League on Thursday 16.
The Benfica boss answered questions about his long-term career but focused more on what is getting behind Philippe Clement, who has reshaped Rangers’ fortunes since taking over in December. Asked if there was a chance to recover on Thursday night, he said: “We are very happy to play again because we are disappointed with the result (in Porto). Their next game is a good opportunity to put in another performance. That is our task.
“It’s a different competition, we know there are tough opponents in the round of 16 and Rangers are a very smart team. They are the most sensible in the Scottish league and play very direct and direct football with lots of transitions, deep runs and crosses. . .
“We have to settle for this style of play. They play very well in possession and in great opposition to the ball. We have to show a very complete tactical functionality but we also have to show that we are playing at home, playing with intensity and confidence. ” We have to take credit from the merit of the house. It’s going to be a very difficult game, but we’ll have to react intelligently after Sunday. “
Schmidt was asked about reports that President Rui Costa would consider sacking him if he did not react quickly to Porto’s blows. But he believes he and the board are singing a song with the same theme. With a wry smile, he told reporters: “I communicate with the president but it’s not for you, it’s for me and for him. It’s not very unusual to communicate with him. “
“It’s very evident that we were all surprised by the result and not happy with the performance. But we have to settle for the fact that the game is over and that we can’t get 3 points.
“We’ve got to be 100 percent consistent with Cent Ed in the next game. The solution lies in education and my task is to train the team correctly. That’s all that’s on my mind. But in football you can’t live in the afterlife, you have to live in the supply and that’s what we’re doing now.
When asked if he thought it was mandatory to apologise to the fans for Porto’s permanence, he replied: “It’s not enough to apologise, we have to show a reaction on the pitch. Of course, I’m sorry because we want to go through. “We’re just here to leave you satisfied and that’s the most important thing. But to leave them satisfied after Sunday isn’t about apologizing, it’s about showing a reaction. And we want to show that from the get-go.
“We want enthusiasts because it’s very transparent that we want a result to win Glasgow. So we have to show that Benfica can play those games abroad with confidence.
“That’s what I said after the game and that’s what’s on my mind now. So it’s not in my head after a loss. I need to SHOW the enthusiasts a reaction with better football and another performance. It’s who I am.
Midfielder Fredrik Aursnes is also in favour of the fight. The former Feyenoord ace said: “We’re expecting a tough game. I know a player there, Cyriel Dessers. Es a smart player, I played with him in Holland.
“They’ve already shown that they’ve done very well in Europe, they reached the final a few years ago and won their organisation this year. This shows that they have intelligent qualities and a lot of joy and that it will be a difficult match. .