"We expect a great game and hopefully we can win"

PREVIEW

Although he anticipates a demanding challenge, Barrenechea expressed confidence in Benfica's victory over Fenerbahçe in the decisive second leg of the Champions League, which takes place at 8:00 pm, this Wednesday, August 27, at Estádio da Luz.

Since this is a "final", a very important game, what do you expect from the atmosphere at Estádio da Luz? What do you expect from Benfica fans tomorrow [Wednesday]?

I think it will be a very difficult, very complicated game, as it was in the first leg, but we are lucky to be playing at home, with our fans. We will try to follow our path, what the coach asks of us, what we worked on during the week, and we hope to get a good result to qualify for the next Champions League.

Are you aware of the importance of this game for Benfica, financially, in sports terms, and also with elections coming up? How is the group approaching this game?

Since day one, both my teammates, the coach and his staff have been great, and I'm very happy. I try to do my job the best I can. The results will come very soon.

I would like to know what the differences are, for you, between playing for Benfica and playing for Valencia, Juventus, Frosinone, or even Newell's Old Boys. Speaking of Newell's, did you like Di María's goal?

Actually, I didn't like it at all. He scored against my team... After the game the other day, we were watching it in the locker room, and I was a little down, but anyway... Then, about what you asked me first, actually, on a personal level, I try to live it the same way every time. Wherever I play, I always try to give my best. Now I know that I'm representing Benfica, a very important club in the world of football, and I try to do it the same way.

How do the players expect Fenerbahçe to play here? A more defensive team? Does Benfica need to be patient to avoid getting nervous? What will be the key to winning this game?

Fenerbahçe will do their job. I'm thinking about what we're going to do, which will be very similar to what we did there. We'll try to cause damage where we think they can suffer. We expect a great game on our part and hopefully we can win.

In the game in Turkey, you received a yellow card very early on. The game was very physical, with lots of challenges. Is it a concern for you not to get involved in those challenges so easily?

Yes, I think it will be like the first leg, with a lot of duels. I think these games are decided by small details, and we will try to stay focused for the entire 90/95/100/120 minutes that the game lasts. We will do what we have been working on during the week.

Do you already feel comfortable with Bruno Lage's ideas? What is it like playing alongside Richard Ríos, a player who arrived this season, just like Enzo?

With Richard [Ríos], I think we are getting to know each other a little better every day. I feel very comfortable with him and with everyone else. I would also like to thank my teammates who play in the same position. I think it's healthy competition and that whoever wants to can play their best.

You're on loan at Benfica. After this period, which is still short, do you want to stay at the club at the end of the season?

Actually, I'm very happy here. I'm focused on doing my job well, helping Benfica achieve its goals, and then we'll see what happens in the future. My mind is on tomorrow's game [Wednesday].

I know you get on very well with Prestianni. I would like to ask you how important it was for you to be welcomed at Benfica by the Argentinians, Otamendi and Prestianni, and whether they have already passed on Benfica's values to you.

Since I arrived, I've been lucky that Nico [Otamendi] was here... He and Prestianni made me feel part of the team from day one. But it's not just them, it's all my teammates. The truth is that everyone in this group is really nice, they made me feel welcome from day one, and that makes me very happy.

What impact could it have on the team if Benfica fails to beat Fenerbahçe and is knocked out of the Champions League?

We don't think about that. We just think about competing, giving our best, and achieving our goal, which is to qualify for the Champions League