Everything Bruno Lage said ahead of Fenerbahçe v Benfica (2025/26) | OneFootball

Benfica traveled to Turkey to face Fenerbahçe next Wednesday, August 20, at 20:00, in a match for the first leg of the Champions League play-off. Bruno Lage gave the usual press conference previewing the duel. Read here everything the coach of the Reds said.

Team's state of mind and season start:

"They have the mentality to continue the work we've been doing and perhaps with the shortest pre-season in Benfica's history. Total merit of the players. But we also know we shouldn't look back, but forward. It's a great merit of the players, the sacrifice they made, and practically not having vacations and doing the pre-season in official games. Players arriving and entering competition right away. I'm satisfied with everyone, but I still feel we have a lot to give. The most important thing now is to continue our work."

Duel against José Mourinho:

"I consider him the best coach from Setúbal and many surrounding areas. That's what's interesting for tomorrow's game. Being from the same city. What matters now is that it's not the game of Bruno against José Mourinho, it's Benfica against Fenerbahçe. And, eventually, whether from his side or ours, we could think of a meeting in a more advanced stage of the competition than now. Regardless of the respect and admiration I have for him, tomorrow what's on my mind is to do my best to help Benfica achieve a good result and take the tie to the Luz, guaranteeing access to the Champions League."

Similarities and differences with José Mourinho:

"As a joke, I almost remember what happened 20 years ago. While Mourinho won the UEFA Cup, I was promoted to the second division with coach José Rocha and Estrela Venda Novas. I won my first title in 2002, serving Benfica. He won the Champions League. It's a great pride what Mourinho has done in national and international football. But all the admiration I feel for him, all the friendship my father has with him, tomorrow is not on our minds. I want to help Benfica win and move forward in the competition. Tomorrow, two coaches who are friends will face each other. In my head and the technical team's, it's about winning, and that's what's most important. It's not Bruno who will beat the opposing coach, it's Benfica that will do everything to win and move forward."

Will you pull a 'rabbit out of the hat'?

"Of course, it can happen. In the Eusébio Cup, no one expected this duel to happen. There were no tactical details or nuances that we wanted to surprise with. We can always anticipate what's coming from the other side, but the most important thing is to be aware of what we have to do tomorrow."

Atmosphere in Turkey:

"I almost feel like asking a question... Have you been to Benfica's games at the Estádio da Luz for the Champions League? It will be a similar hell. We're used to it and prepared for it."

Mourinho spoke about Benfica's spending:

"You know him better than I do. What I can say, because I have some knowledge of Turkish football, is that no Portuguese club can pay a salary that a top Turkish club pays."

Akturkoglu's future:

"I'm a football coach, you know there's a proposal. Until the end of the market, whether it's Akturkoglu or any other player, they can receive proposals. We'll live the moment with the awareness of making the squad we want. Our focus and Akturkoglu's is to help Benfica in tomorrow's game, don't have any doubts about that."

Using Akturkoglu in the game against Nice:

"It was a sports decision, I have to evaluate each player's moment. We have a vast squad, the player played in his position, and he's been doing very well, which is Schjelderup, Prestianni has been helping the team. It's up to me to decide what's best for the team. Akturkoglu finished a long season last year, he's happy in Portugal, changed his number, he's our number 7, started the season very well prepared, helped us win the Super Cup. What's important for him and all players is what we can do tomorrow. We're satisfied with what we're doing. We know we're still in August and have a long way to go in the season to reach what we can achieve."

Feeling of playing away first:

"Unlike Benfica, Fenerbahçe comes from a less positive result, and I believe the fans want to help the team return to victories. But we have enough experience and are playing very well away. We're used to these games. We're ready for tomorrow's game."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.