Players' reaction: “We deserve to be in the Champions League”

Key players in Benfica's win over Fenerbahçe (1-0), in the second leg of the Champions League play-off, Richard Ríos, Barreiro, Aursnes, and António Silva highlighted the importance of another goal achieved.

ANTÓNIO SILVA

"We achieved a goal for the season"

"[Qualifying and not conceding goals] It's very much a team effort. I think we've trained well for moments of pressure, the players are responding well to pressure, we're all pulling together, running forward together. And that's the secret of our pressure. [Photo of the party in the locker room] It's normal, we achieved a goal for the season and we like to keep the memories. As for the legacy, Benfica in the Champions League is a normal thing. I think that's what we had to do, it was a goal we had from the beginning, of course. We had to be in the Champions League, no matter what. [Working to be in shape right now] I think people judge players a lot by what they see on the field, but sometimes they don't understand what happens off the field. And there are many things that influence a football player. Last season was a difficult one for me. I think I finished well, I had a very good Club World Cup. A football player always depends a little on confidence. And I think last season I fluctuated a bit at the beginning. The support of my family was very important, I also worked with professionals who helped me be at my best. And right now I'm enjoying myself. But I know that in football things change very quickly, from one day to the next, and I have to keep working at my limit."

RICHARD RÍOS

"Happy because we have been evolving step by step, game by game"

"[The taste of qualification] Happy that we qualified for the Champions League, the second goal we achieved, which we set at the beginning of the season. The first was to be champions [of the Super Cup], and now to qualify [for the Champions League]. Now, it's time to think about the Championship, the next game, which is always the most important. And, well, happy because we have been evolving step by step, game by game, as a team, and we will continue to work. [Game of duels] Certainly, it was no different there, I also think it was a very physical game there, we know that their team is strong, they have important players, and we knew that here [at Luz] it would be the same. Thank God I was able to contribute, and as I said, now it's time to keep working for what's left. [Response to criticism] No, it's not a response, I think I'm evolving game by game, I can show what I can do. I know where I come from, I know everything I've achieved, I know what I can achieve, criticism happens, it's normal. As a player, I have to accept it, if I'm not at my best, I have to accept the criticism."

BARREIRO

"It was a big goal we had"

"First, it's happiness. We deserve it, as a team, as a club, all the fans. We deserve to be in the Champions League. It's where Benfica deserves to be, so now, after the game, it's happiness. [Starting in midfield] The most important thing is, as I always say, the player has to be ready to help the team at all times. I train every day, I give my all every day so I can be in these kinds of games. And today I had the opportunity, and I helped the team win this important game. [Disallowed goal] Yes, there was contact, but I don't know if I touched the player's foot, I haven't seen the play yet. In training, that's not enough. Now, I don't know, I have to see the play, but it was the referee's decision and it can't be changed. The most important thing is that, even with the disallowed goal, or goals, we managed to make the difference and win the game. [Importance of being in the Champions League group stage] It was a big goal we had. We had three at the beginning of this season: to win the Super Cup, to be in the Champions League, and now the focus is on Sunday, for the game against Alverca."

AURSNES

"Two tight games against a good opponent"

"We started well in the first half. We scored goals that were disallowed, but I think we had a good moment and managed to make it 1-0, which gave us confidence and belief, of course. In the end, it was a difficult game, but I think that, in the end, over two games, it was deserved. Two tight games against a good opponent. [Playing on the right side of midfield] At the start of this season, I've been playing mainly on the right side. I feel comfortable there, I like it. The team is doing well, that's the most important thing for me. [Support and huge ovation from the fans recently] Of course, I feel appreciated, and of course, it was a nice gesture from the fans. I'm grateful, of course, and I'm very happy for them, and I'll always try to do my best for the Club."