Rio Ave boss Sotiris Silaidopoulos is relishing the chance to participate in Jose Mourinho’s first residence recreation again as Benfica coach tomorrow night time and claims his touchline rival is “touched by the gods”.
Mourinho was appointed by the Lisbon giants on Thursday, 25 years after an 11-game stint in cost in 2000, and led his new costs to a snug 3-0 victory at AVS on the weekend.
He returns to the Estadio da Luz to face Rio Ave in entrance of what ought to be an enthusiastic crowd and Greek Silaidopoulos failed to cover his admiration for the 62-year-old.
“It’s a motivation [to face Mourinho], little question,” he mentioned. “Arising in opposition to such an iconic coach could be very particular. In Greece, we normally say that there are people who find themselves touched by the gods and Mourinho is one in all them.
“It is going to be a privilege to play in opposition to him. It’s a historic second for Benfica and we’re motivated to be a part of it and to be on this recreation. However the match begins 0-0 and we wish to present our greatest model. The coach, the gamers… That is the one means we will carry one thing from this recreation.
“It is going to be tough, we all know who we are going to face. We noticed Mr Mourinho’s first recreation and we already anticipate the environment that awaits us. It is very important be targeted and powerful in varied facets. We wish to preserve this up all through the sport. It’s a recreation through which we’ll have to indicate character and character.”
Silaidopoulos hoping to silence Mourinho with improved show
Rio Ave have but to win within the Primeira Liga this season, drawing three of their first 5 video games. They have been overwhelmed 3-0 by Porto on Friday night time and Silaidopoulos is hoping for a greater efficiency.
“There are a number of components to keep in mind in soccer and we now have to be higher in any respect of them,” he added. “Be extra constant if we wish to win video games and play higher. There are conditions through which we confirmed this sort of efficiency. Now we have to seek out the appropriate steadiness and enhance what we’re doing, in addition to our weaknesses, that are a bit apparent.
“In my view, we deserved to have gotten extra factors than we did from our first three video games.”
Mourinho – Rio Ave might be tough
Mourinho agreed with that evaluation, saying: “I anticipate a greater opponent than the factors they’ve gained thus far. We watched Rio Ave of their earlier video games and in a number of video games, particularly within the first three, they have been higher than their factors tally reveals.
“You’ll be able to see that they’ve a coach, an organisation, who know what they need, that they’ve some gamers, to not say all, of excellent high quality. It’s value what it’s value, however they’ve 24 hours greater than us to organize for the sport. I anticipate a tough recreation.”
And Mourinho known as on the Benfica followers to get behind his aspect.
“We want the house issue, as a result of once we play, it is a crucial assist,” mentioned the previous Manchester United, Chelsea and Actual Madrid boss.
“The staff is rising. From a tactical standpoint, development have to be progressive. From an emotional standpoint, the reference to the followers is important, which makes them neglect that the final video games at residence didn’t go properly. It is going to be an vital factor for us to face a tough opponent.”
We’re not greatest pals but, however we’re getting there – Mourinho
Mourinho has not had a lot probability to work with the gamers however has been inspired by the progress he feels they’ve already made.
He mentioned: “I’ve the sensation that, day by day, the gamers are embracing my concepts, my means of main. That is vital to me.
“Clearly we aren’t but a gaggle of greatest pals, we arrived solely 4 or 5 days in the past, however I feel we’re constructing one thing vital from a human standpoint. When it comes to the tactical evolution of the staff, we now have to go little by little.”
