MY ACCOUNT
Having enjoyed a glittering playing career with both club and country, former Portugal midfielder Simao Sabrosa is now director of international relations at his old club Benfica.
Ahead of the Eagles’ opening Champions League clash against Maccabi Haifa this evening, LiveScore sat down for a chat with the 85-cap international about their prospects in Europe this term.
Benfica have been drawn in Group H alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Maccabi Haifa. How do you feel about the challenge ahead?
As everybody knows, our group is very difficult. Juventus are one of Europe’s most historic clubs, while the quality Paris Saint-Germain possess is clear.
Even Maccabi are the champions of Israel, so it is a difficult task for us. We have a home game up first and it’s going to be important we start with a win.
Do you set specific targets for a Champions League campaign or is it more a case of seeing how things pan out?
Like most clubs, I think we just have to take things game by game. Our focus is not just on the Champions League because we are also chasing success in the Portuguese league.
We have no fear and believe we can succeed in any match. So when the next game comes, we find our best way to get three points and see where it leaves us.
You touched on starting your campaign at home. How important will the Estadio da Luz atmosphere be to Benfica’s prospects in Europe?
For us, it is the best around! We have an amazing atmosphere created by our brilliant fans and it passes down to the players.
It is crucial for us to have a full stadium supporting the players to give us the best chance of success.
You starred in some iconic Champions League nights, including netting a sensational goal against reigning champions Liverpool at Anfield in 2006. How will Benfica’s players deal with intimidating atmospheres in Paris and Turin?
When you start these games, the pressure is huge because you are playing on the biggest stage and representing Benfica, so it is important to play well.
But for us, our players must feel the full stadium and embrace it. Ignore the pressure and play like the people in the stadium are playing with us.
Do you believe Benfica could be dark horses? Can you go deep into the latter stages?
Just like last season, our main priority is to make it out of the group. We know that will not be easy but we must take it game by game.
We have some familiar faces to catch up with. Angel Di Maria is at Juventus — he started his European football career with us. Renato Sanches, our former youth player, is with PSG.
It will be good to see them but I hope they do not play well and that Benfica win the games!
Which player should LiveScore users keep an eye out for in Benfica’s squad?
We have a great team and always do our best to organise them to take on these huge sides. We have a new coach and new players, so all our focus is playing well as a unit.
It would be wrong for me to name any individual players but I think we have a strong team who will represent the club to a high level — hopefully we can go far.
