Due to the early exit from the Champions League, coach Roger Schmidt at Benfica Lisbon is under pressure like never before. After the 3-1 loss at Real Sociedad San Sebastián, the 56-year-old took the blame with unusual clarity. “That is my responsibility. We were not prepared for this game today,” said the former Bayer Leverkusen coach on Wednesday evening. “I did a very bad job today.”
Before the derby against Sporting Lisbon on Sunday, Schmidt was even asked whether the duel with the league leaders was crucial for his future with the Portuguese football champions. “You can answer this question yourself,” responded Schmidt defiantly, after which the press conference with him ended.
Pyro attack by Benfica supporters
Benfica is only three points behind Sporting in the championship, but according to supporters, Schmidt’s team has hardly delivered any convincing performances so far this season. In the premier class, Benfica still has zero points after four games, after all Rafa Silva (49th) scored the first goal of the season on Wednesday.
After a desolate Benfica performance in the first half, Mikel Merino (6th), Mikel Oyarzabal (11th) and Ander Barrenetxea (21st) had already made everything clear for the Basques before the break.
The game was overshadowed by the throwing of torches by some Portuguese fans. “Shame on you, Benfica fans,” tweeted Real Sociedad San Sebastián on Wednesday evening. “We will do everything we can to identify those responsible. They are criminals,” said club president Jokin Aperribay after the game.
Previously, some supporters of the Portuguese club had thrown Bengal flares towards the Sociedad fans. The game was then briefly interrupted at the beginning of the second half. The visiting supporters were in a block above the Basque fans and threw the flares downwards.
Published/Updated: Recommendations: 4 Christopher Meltzer, Munich Published/Updated: Recommendations: 4 Daniel Theweleit, Dortmund Published/Updated: Recommendations: 3
After the game, Real President Aperribay reported that Benfica President Rui Costa had apologized to him for the incidents. “The president of Benfica was ashamed and asked me to apologize several times,” he said. There were initially no reports of injuries.
