Cassiano Klein: “It is a great opportunity for us to return to competition”

SL Benfica host Rio Ave FC this Saturday, 14 November, at 11:00, at the Pavilhão Fidelidade, in an advanced match of the 18th matchday of the Liga Placard. Both teams return to the competition after a month-long break from national competitions.

In statements to BTV, SL Benfica coach Cassiano Klein views the return to competition as an opportunity.

A great opportunity

“First, it is a great opportunity for us to return to competition, to show that our team is at a good level. Of course, these days away from competition are always challenging for everyone. The positive point is that the athletes came back very well. It is a great reminder of what we have been doing. We have a complicated game ahead of us. We have to start with a lot of impetus, with a lot of desire to do our best.”

The opponent

On the opponent, the coach identified several weapons of the Vila do Conde side: “Rio Ave is a team that does many things very well. For example, the game with the goalkeeper pushed up, the set pieces. They have a defence that changes a lot on some occasions, with the jumps. I see that as a great opportunity for us, to compete very well. Speaking a little about ourselves, we were in a very good moment, especially in the players' ability to do things with clarity, which I think is the most important point for us, seeing that they are managing to make use of what we train. Our expectation is that we will remember things very well and be able to compete very well.”

Support from the stands

On the support from the stands, Cassiano Klein once again asked for the fans to attend: “Of course we really need, speaking a little about our fans, to bring that synergy. We count on a very good crowd. In the last games we played here, we had very great support from our fans, and we are counting on that synergy on Saturday.”

A special day at the Luz

On a day of intense activity for the other sports at the Luz, the coach anticipates a special atmosphere: “We had an experience, a day that was very similar to this coming Saturday, and it was fantastic. We were able to play and then also support the other sports. I believe Saturday will be like that, so we count on the support of the public and we also count on it in the upcoming games that will take place in the arena.”