"We will be ready"

The Benfica center back assured, in statements made in the mixed zone, that the team is focused on its debut in the Club World Cup. António Silva highlighted the importance of winning the three points in the match against Boca Juniors.

Will it be easy to match the Argentines' determination?

We are very ambitious to get through the group stage. We know how important the three points are in the three games. We know that tomorrow [Monday] will be a very difficult game for us because they are a unique team with a unique style of football, which comes largely from their country. But we will be ready, and we hope to come away with the three points.

Can you ignore everything that is being said about the market? Benfica, for example, may lose two regular starters in defense, Otamendi and Carreras. How do you manage that before a competition?

I don't think that's important. What's important is that we have these two players with us on a daily basis. They are very important players for the team. Two players who have been very important this season, regular starters. But these are personal matters, they are club matters, and it's not our place to talk about them.

After a long season, here comes the Club World Cup. The coach himself spoke a lot about the weather, the heat, and the humidity. How do you feel inside? Because, for the Argentinians, it will probably be easier at this point.

It's a new experience for all of us. It's difficult to train in such intense heat and humidity. But that's part of football. We have to get used to it. We've had a week to prepare for this game and I don't think it will prevent us from playing well.

Have you tried convincing your partner, over there, to stay another year? Otamendi...

No, that's not a question you should ask me, it's a question you should ask Nico [Otamendi] and the president. They're the ones who deal with these situations.

Would you like it?

Of course I would, Nico [Otamendi] is our captain, so I can say that I would. I've played with him for three years, and I really enjoy sharing the dressing room and the pitch with him.

Is it special to be playing this game for Benfica in the Club World Cup, and against Boca Juniors no less? It's the first official game between the two clubs. Is it special?

Yes, it's very special. It's a team with a great history, as do we, and I think that makes the game very special. Let's hope Benfica wins.

Would you like to see João Félix at Benfica?

I'm not going to answer that question, because it's a question that doesn't make sense.

Your wish?

My wish is that Benfica may earn the 3 points tomorrow.