Sporting’s slide at Moreira de Cognos (1-1), in the final round, allowed Benfica to narrow the gap to first place, accounts that ensure Jorge Jesus does not bring extra motivation to the Reds.

“No more motivation. We’re trying to regain second place (FC Porto), and that’s the most important thing. As the days go by, there are fewer and fewer points to recovering. Regarding the first place, it’s another scenario. We are counting on them and we have to win our games and they have to lose. The sporting draw means nothing. If you keep going negative, you can say something, ”he said in a preview of Saturday’s match (20.30 hours) with Paços de Ferreira.

“It’s a team that’s doing a good championship and only lost at home with Sporting. It is a warning to realize that we are going to face a difficult game. But Benfica must always play to win every game because we want to get second. We are ready for the difficulties that Backus will create for us and we know that we have the possibility to leave Mata Real with victory. “He concluded that we are very confident and very enthusiastic, and we will face Backus with respect, but we realize that we have all the skills to achieve the three points.”