"Our goal is clearly to win the Cup"

INTERVIEW

In an interview conducted in partnership between the League and Benfica media outlet (see it here on BPlay), Tomás Araújo previewed the derby between Benfica and Sporting in the final of the League Cup, that will take place at 7:45 pm on Saturday, January 11, at the Estádio Municipal de Leiria.

Tomás [Araújo], first of all I'd like to congratulate you on your victory and your qualification to the final. First, I'd like to ask you what you thought of the semi-final.?

TA: It was a game that we started very well. It was a bit of what the manager [Bruno Lage] was asking for. In the second half we've been aggressive, with the ball, dominating, and that's what happened. We couldn't translate it into a goal, but the team kept believing and then at the end of the first half we managed to score all three goals and the team felt very confident.

And now for the final, what do you expect?

TA: We know that Sporting have a very good team, but we're Benfica, and we have to go in with the aggression and quality that we did in this game. And if we go in like that, we'll be closer to victory.

This League Cup could be your first senior trophy with Benfica. What does playing in the final mean to you?

TA: It may be the first trophy, but the most important thing is to win trophies for Benfica. Of course it can feel a bit special, but playing for Benfica, winning a trophy for Benfica, is even more special.

Isn't that a heavier burden?

TA: It's a game. Of course it's a game against the rival, but it's going to be a very good game and I hope to enjoy it.

It's a mid-season competition, and you're up against a direct opponent. Do you think winning this trophy could be a good lever now for the rest of the league?

TA: It can give us a lot of confidence, but we're players with a lot of quality. Of course it can give us more confidence for the rest of the season, and our goal is clearly to win the [League] Cup.

And now, in these games, it's normal to feel a bit more pressure. Do you think the presence of the fans will help push the team on? What do you think the atmosphere will be like?

TA: I'm expecting a very good atmosphere, with both teams' fans singing a lot and I hope, of course, that there will be more Benfiquistas cheering us on. And here's an invitation to come to the stadium [Estádio Municipal de Leiria], it's going to be a very good show.