JESUS: WE’LL END RANGERS’ WINNING RUN
BENFICA boss Jorge Jesus lauded Steven Gerrard for leading Rangers’ “recovery”.
But the Portuguese boss warned he is hell-bent on delivering a first blow of the season to Gerrard’s Ibrox revolution. He insists his under-strength Benfica are good enough to claim victory against unbeaten Gers in Govan tonight.
Jesus’ squad has been decimated by Covid-19, injury and suspension ahead of the Group D clash.
Five youngsters have been drafted in and are being entrusted in the absence of Darwin Nunez, Adel Taarabt and Julien Weigl, who all tested positive, as well crocked quartet Andre Almeida, Pedrinho, Todibo and Nuno Tavares.
Nicolas Otamendi is also absent through suspension, having been sent off in the first clash three weeks ago.
Jesus said: “Sometimes some players that we think will not be first options do well. Good things come from bad situations.”
Rangers came within two minutes of victory in the Estadio da Luz. And having seen Gerrard’s side take the scalp of Porto and Braga last season, Jesus insists nothing will be left to chance when he sets his side out at Ibrox with a place in the last 32 almost guaranteed for the winners.
He said: “Gerrard is making a recovery for Rangers. The team have been growing with him for three years.
“Rangers are a well known team in Portugal. They played Braga and Porto last season. They have kept all of their best players.
“The players have been together for almost three years working on an aggressive system, which is not easy to stop. They have scored a lot of goals at home and we are prepared for difficulties defensively.
“But we are also ready to be strong attacking and it’ll be Rangers’ responsibility to stop us when we have the ball. I am sure it will be a balanced game, with two attacking teams and many players playing up against defenders.
“A victory is important for two reasons. It practically guarantees qualification and guarantees that in the remaining games we can manage the team.
“Rangers are a strong opponent but we are working so that we can make a good game and claim a victory.”
The Portuguese are among the bookies’ outsiders to go all the way in the competition.
But Jesus added: “Benfica is a favourite in all competitions we enter.
“Having a team to compete in a European competition is something else. It is possible but it takes more time – the competitive levels are much higher.
“Right now I’m more interested in winning titles.”