SCHMIDT: NO APOLOGY – A RESPONSE
BULLISH Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has again refused to apologise for his side’s Porto pasting – but the German gaffer has promised a response against Rangers.
The Lisbon giants are still reeling from Sunday’s 5-0 savaging at the hands of their bitter rivals.
The defeat cost Benfica their place at the top of the Portuguese table and has heaped huge pressure on the former Leverkusen and PSV coach.
But Schmidt has again chosen not to say sorry — despite club president and Portugal legend Rui Costa offering his own apology to seething supporters.
Schmidt reckons the best way to hit back is to take out their frustration on Philippe Clement’s Gers as they square off in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash.
Schmidt said: “Just to apologise is not enough, we need to show a reaction on the pitch.
“Of course, I’m sorry because we want to make the fans happy. We are here only to make them happy and that’s always the most important thing.
“But to make them happy after Sunday is not about apologising, it’s about showing a reaction.
“And we have to show that from the first second of the match.
“We need the fans because it’s very clear we need a good result to take to Glasgow.
“So we have to show Benfica can play these international games with confidence.
“That’s what I said after the match and that’s what’s in my head now. So it’s not in my head to apologise after a defeat. I want to show the fans a reaction with better football and a different performance. That’s who I am.”
Portuguese media have claimed Schmidt’s job could be at risk if they fail to get past the Light Blues and reach the last eight.
But he shot down suggestions of crisis talks with Costa. Schmidt added: “I always talk to the president but that’s not for you, its for me and him. It’s very clear we were all shocked by the result and not happy with the performance. But we have to accept the match has been played and we can’t get three points back.
“We need to be 100 per cent focused on the next match. The solution is on the training pitch and my task is to be concentrated on training the team the right way.
“That’s the only thing in my head. The last few days have been good but in football you cannot live in the past or the future, you have to live in the now and that’s what we’re doing.”
Schmidt is wary of the threat posed by an Ibrox line-up rejuvenated since Clement’s appointment.
He said: “Glasgow Rangers are a very good team. They are first in the Scottish league and play straight, direct football.
“They make a lot of transitions with a lot of deep runs and a lot of crosses. We have to accept this style of play. But they are also good in ball possession and intensive against the ball.
“We will need a complete performance but we are playing at home so we have to play with confidence.
“It will be a hard match but we have to use our advantage at home.”
Midfielder Fredrik Aursnes is braced for battle too. The ex-Feyenoord ace said: “We expect a tough game. I know one player there, Cyriel Dessers. He’s a good player, I played with him in the Netherlands.
“They’ve already shown they’ve done well in Europe, they made the final a couple of years ago and won their group this year.
“That shows they have good qualities and a lot of experience. It’s going to be a tough game.”