Benfica Midfielder Reflects on Differences Between Portuguese League and Eredivisie

Benfica midfielder considers comparison with the Dutch league

• Photo: Paulo Calado

Even though he is far from Luz, Orkun Kökçü does not forget Benfica. After the friendly against Japan, which Turkey lost 4-2, the midfielder spoke of “a big difference” between the Portuguese league and the Eredivisie, before stating: “I don’t know if everyone in the Netherlands realizes the size of this club [Benfica].”

Despite praising the Eagles, the Turkish international revealed that the “little guys” have a different attitude in the championship they played in before moving to Lisbon. “In the Netherlands, relatively small clubs sometimes go into a game against a title favorite with offensive intentions. They play quite openly, but that’s not something that happens in Portugal. The smaller clubs are very conservative and we have to find a solution for this”, he analyzed, in an interview with Algemeen Dagblad.

Despite some differences he found in Portugal, Kökçü identifies similarities between Roger Schmidt and Arne Slot, who guided him at Feyenoord: “Roger Schmidt, like Arne Slot, is someone who takes ownership, so it’s not a change for me. And I must say that we quickly got used to life in Portugal. I learned that quickly. Benfica, like Feyenoord, is a top club and therefore has a lot of ball.” The 22-year-old player also stressed that he wants to “win trophies in Portugal”.

By Record

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2023-09-12 23:25:52
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