Rui Costa, president of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, reacted this Wednesday to the defeat against SC Braga, in the semi-finals of the League Cup, highlighting that the performance in the first half was decisive for the elimination.
«We left here defeated in a competition that we wanted to win. The first half did not justify us being in the final”, said Rui Costa, speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting.
The director also clarified the decision to concentrate the squad in Seixal after the game, at a time when a new decisive challenge is approaching. «It was already planned for the players to spend the night in Seixal. It’s not punishment, it’s prevention for the next games”, he explained, ruling out any disciplinary reading of the measure.
Asked about the Eagles’ next match, against FC Porto, at Estádio do Dragão, for the Portuguese Cup, Rui Costa reiterated the club’s ambition in all competitions. «Benfica always plays all or nothing. It’s true that the championship is the most important competition, but all competitions are about winning”, he stressed.
The president of the Reds also regretted the early elimination of the competition. «What we did in the first half did not justify us winning the competition. I’m very sorry about that”, he concluded.
