"Show character and responsibility"

PREVIEW

In the Netherlands, only victory matters to Benfica, as Pavlidis emphasized in the preview of the match against Ajax, on matchday 5 of the Champions League. Kick-off at the Johan Cruijff Arena is scheduled for 5:45 pm (mainland Portugal time) on Tuesday, November 25.

Speaking to BTV and Sport TV after the press conference, the Eagles' striker highlighted the quality of Ajax and the difficulties of playing at the Johan Cruijff Arena, pointing out the importance of the victory for Benfica to earn their first points in the league phase of this season's Champions League.

"They have a good coach, they're a good team, and it's always difficult to play at Ajax's home ground. I hope it will be a good day for us and not so good for them. It's important that we win. We know the quality of the players. I have to play smart against them. I've played against [Josip] Sutalo for sure, I don't remember if I've played against [Youri] Baas, but I know they are two very good center backs and that I have to be smart and give my best," said the Greek international.

“I hope I can [score], the team needs goals and the 3 points. It doesn't matter if it's me or another player who scores. Tomorrow [Tuesday], the most important thing is the victory,” he concluded.

With only three days between the game against Atlético CP and the visit to Ajax, Pavlidis said that “it's difficult to prepare properly,” but that the players are focused on their goal. The striker also spoke about coach José Mourinho's comments after the Portuguese Cup match.

“The team is ready, all the players know how important the game is, and they all have the same thing on their minds: winning. The most important thing is to return to Lisbon with the three points and see what we can do in the Champions League,” he said.

"Our first half [against Atlético] wasn't good, so it's normal that he [José Mourinho] wasn't happy with us. He wanted to send a message. It's done, we got the win, and now we have a new game, a new opportunity to show that we're not the team that was 0-0 at halftime against Atlético. All the players have to show character and responsibility to continue [in the Champions League] and win games," he explained. 

You've had some physical complaints recently. How are you feeling now? And how did the players take the coach's message after the game against Atlético?

I feel good, and I told the coach that at halftime [smiles]. I feel good, happy to be back here for a Champions League night, in a stadium I know very well. Regarding what the coach told us: if you had seen our first half against Atlético, you would have had the same thought. We know we didn't play well, we know we have to improve both in the Champions League and in the league. We need to change many things as players and take responsibility. We are united—players, staff, coach, and president—and we all want our fans to feel proud. That is the most important thing.

You have been decisive for Benfica this season. Do you feel untouchable in the team? How special is it for you to return to the Netherlands, a country where you made your career?

To be honest, I don't like that. I always want to play well, score goals, provide assists, help the team. I only think about winning. I want to play, of course, it's important for any player to play, to feel good and confident. I want to work every day, I give my best every day. Coming back here is really nice. I lived 10 minutes from here for three years. I enjoyed life in the Netherlands, it was five and a half spectacular years in Tilburg [at Willem II] and Alkmaar [at AZ Alkmaar]. I'm very happy to be back and playing a Champions League game against Ajax.

Ajax comes into this game in the same position as Benfica, with four defeats and zero points. They changed coaches before the international break and lost this weekend. Do you think this change of coach could benefit Benfica, or could it be the opposite?

I'm always thinking more about my team, what we do and what we're going to do. I watch our opponents, of course. I watch the Eredivisie, I watch Ajax, I watch AZ Alkmaar and I know the coach because I trained with him for two weeks at Willem II. I know he's a good coach. They have good players, they are still Ajax, and I know very well how difficult it is to play against Ajax at the [Johan Cruijff] Arena or to play against Ajax in general. I can't remember a single time when it was very easy to beat Ajax. I think it will be another difficult game against them, and it will be very difficult to play.