Players' reactions: "Look forward and work even harder"

In their analysis of Benfica-Qarabag (2-3), from matchday 1 of the Champions League, Otamendi, Sudakov, Barrenechea, and Dahl emphasized the team's intention to work even harder to ensure an immediate response.

OTAMENDI

"We have to improve our game"

"It's a painful result. What we have to do is take a critical look at ourselves, each individually, at what we need to improve. This is not the time to point fingers or anything like that, but rather the time to react. The season is just beginning and it's going to be a long road. In the first round, no one can guarantee that winning today would get us through to the next stage. But there's work to be done, we have to stand up and look forward. The only thing left for us to do is apologize to the people who pay for tickets to come and see us, to see the team win, to see it perform wel. [Allowing the comeback after leading 2-0] It's like I said: individually, we have to improve. I think that being 2-0 up and conceding a goal in the first half, from a set piece, hurts us. We have to look forward and work even harder, because the season is just beginning. Home games have to be hell for the opponents, and we have to improve our game. [Reaction of Benfica fans] The fans have every right. They pay for their tickets to come and see the team play well and win. During the week, we have to work hard to put on a good show and get three points in this group stage. Here, there is a team, a squad, and when we win, we all win. No one thinks about themselves individually, and when we lose, we have to be self-critical together."

SUDAKOV

"Take responsibility for the game we played"

"It was difficult. We need to lift our heads up and grow. First, we have to analyze what happened and take responsibility for the game we played. We have to look ahead to the next game and work hard. [Suffering the comeback] We were winning 2-0 and controlling the game. Then there was a free kick that went wrong for us, and the game changed. Qarabag didn't do much, but every transition moment was difficult for us. The second half went badly for us, but as I said before, we need to react and play much better in the next game. [Feeling of representing Benfica] For me, it's fantastic to play for this club, for this team. I really value that. I have to grow, work hard, and improve in many aspects."

BARRENECHEA

"We have to focus on the [Portuguese] League now"

"We are very sad. We were winning 2-0, we were calm, but I think we got complacent, and the Champions League doesn't allow that. We are very sad about the result, but on Saturday [September 20] we have to focus on the [Portuguese] League. [Overconfidence?] The Champions League is a different kind of competition. As I said, 2-0 doesn't allow you to relax for a second, so we are very sad. [Feeling of unease] We've been talking in the dressing room. We'll talk tomorrow [Wednesday] and try to improve for the next game. [Champions League standings] This defeat hurts, but it's a long journey and we have to work during the week to get a good result in the next game."

DAHL

"Respond as quickly as possible"

"We have to respond to this and put in a better performance next time. Every game is important, we have to respond as quickly as possible. I'm a player, I train and play when it's game time. When the coach decides to use me, I give my all in every game. That's how I think."