The enthusiasm of the fans in contact with the team in Vila do Conde, before and after the victory against Rio Ave (1-0), increases the conviction that SAD incarnate made the right decision when, last Friday, it announced contract renewal with Schmidt until 2026.
The coach (now shielded by a release clause that went from €10M to €30m) is consensual for the fans, who are satisfied not only with the team’s results but also with the good football played by it.
In that sense, yesterday’s red wave, next to Estádio dos Arcos, and which had already grown and with similar strength, for example, in Madeira, on the occasion of the match at home to Marítimo, comes at the perfect time for Benfica to face the one who it could be the decisive game of the championship and by nature one of the most complicated for the eagles, against FC Porto, already on Friday.
Rui Costa, president of Benfica, pointed precisely to this moment, before the classic, to announce the extension of the contract with Schmidt and, thus, also show the locker room that this is the intended path.
The players are very satisfied with the German coach’s way of working, they are now sure that the plan for the team will not change and that awareness will help consolidate the group’s personality and also increase confidence for the game with FC Porto that can clarify almost everything about the next national champion.
The eagles lead the league table with 10 points more than their rivals and, winning in the next round, it would take exceptional skill for Benfica not to reach the title. It is, therefore, also with the Roger Schmidt effect that Benfica counts on to reach the next Luz derby strong.
