Vanderson: "Totally focused on our style of play" | OneFootball

A starter in the Champions League league phase against Benfica, the Brazilian fullback spoke on the eve of a visit by the Portuguese side to the Stade Louis-II, in the first leg of the competition's playoff round (kick-off 9 p.m.).

Like the team, he wants to win this second chance. Frustrated by a defeat suffered in the league phase of the Champions League against Benfica at the end of November (2-3), Vanderson intends to deliver a great performance this Wednesday in the first leg of the competition’s play-off round. This is in any case what he expressed to the media, on the eve of the match at the Stade Louis-II (9 p.m.).

About managing the team’s emotions

There will indeed be a lot of emotions to manage during this match, because it is a play-off match that is very important for us, as for them. All teams sometimes have ups and downs throughout a season, so we can’t be at the top level in every match. In any case, we will try to make as few mistakes as possible and to be totally focused on our style of play.

I think we played a very good match that day, especially in the first half with eleven against eleven, and I think that was the feeling of all the spectators. We have to keep some of the things shown during this match, what we did well, and erase the mistakes that can lead to opponents getting opportunities.

But this time, we will have to know how to manage our emotions, because it is a very important two-legged tie, so we will have to perform well in both matches. To do this, we must give the best of ourselves, to avoid the same scenario as happened in the League phase. We have a young team, which sometimes has stressful situations to manage. But that is normal, and I do not feel that way as we approach this match.

On the match played in the league phase

I think we played a very good match that day, especially in the first half with eleven against eleven, and I think that was the feeling of all the spectators. We have to keep some of the things shown during this match, what we did well, and erase the mistakes that can lead to opponents getting opportunities.

About the stakes

This is a very important match between two teams that play a good forward-looking style. Even more so after our match during the League phase, where we started well, I repeat, when we were still equal in numbers. It will therefore be important not to repeat the mistakes of the first match. We know this team that plays very well, especially in transition, because they can get forward very quickly.

Benfica has very good players who are very effective at the moment, especially offensively. They are very good in the build-up phase, in the first pass, but also in the opponent's box, like Vangelis Pavlidis who scored in our first match.

The need to bounce back

Every day we come to training to work on things we can improve upon. Coach Adi Hütter talks a lot with us and tells us that we have to learn from every match, even when we don’t win. So we have to learn from every performance, especially that big match against Paris, and show that we are capable of bouncing back in a period where we have sometimes experienced difficulties.

On the Portuguese side’s forwards

Benfica has very good players who are very effective at the moment, especially offensively. They are very good in the build-up phase, in the first pass, but also in the opponent’s box, like Vangelis Pavlidis who scored in our first match.

Once again we will have to be very focused, because there are very good players, like Angel Di Maria who everyone knows well. He is a great player and a leader who has great experience and has already won the Champions League, so we will have to pay attention to him.

They are in a good run of form at the moment, so we will have to pay attention to the technical qualities of this team and be very focused so that the match goes well. Regarding Arthur Cabral, he is a great center forward who is also well known in Brazil, and who is very dangerous in the box. He has had great success with Benfica, so we will have to keep an eye on him.

About Angel Di Maria

We have to be ready to face this team, which has had good results in the last two months. Once again we will have to be very focused, because there are very good players, like Angel Di Maria who everyone knows well. He is a great player and a leader who has great experience and has already won the Champions League, so we will have to pay attention to him. Especially since in the first match he was incredible and made the difference all by himself in the last minutes.

On his season

Personally, I think I’m having a good season so far, because I’ve played less regularly the last two years. It must be said that I haven’t had any injuries, so I have continuity in terms of playing time. That’s why I want to continue on this path to have a complete season, and tomorrow is a good match to confirm that, both individually and collectively.

This season, we have a really good squad, like a family, everyone plays and expereinces things together, so it’s something that is also beneficial for my personal development. We want to progress together.