Bruno Lage has shared some very interesting words in his pre-match press conference ahead of Benfica’s Club World Cup tie against Chelsea.
Benfica take on Chelsea for a place in the quarter-finals, so they have a difficult task awaiting them.
Enzo Maresca‘s men are yet to hit top gear in the tournament but did beat Esperance Sportive de Tunis 3-0 last time out.
Defender Tosin Adarabioyo put in an excellent performance after coming into the side, scoring the Blues’ opener. Maresca made several changes that day, and Lage may have to do something similar.
Tomas Araujo of SL Benfica celebrates scoring
Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images
Bruno Lage hints at resting players against Chelsea to manage workload
One reason the Club World Cup has received so much criticism is because of the extra number of games it has added to the year.
That seems to be a really big problem for Benfica, who have a Super Cup game and Champions League qualifier to play this summer.
To manage the team’s workload ahead of those fixtures, Lage has suggested he may need to rest some of his players against Chelsea.
Speaking about managing his team’s workload in a pre-match press conference, he said: “We need to rest because this tournament is very hard, very difficult. We are reaching 21 days together with the same routine. It is very hard mentally and physically and we will need a rest for the next phase.
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“The players will need potentially 14 days of rest. And after that we will have 17-18 days to prepare for the Supercup on a Thursday. It is a huge challenge to compare the team to compete 90 minutes against a strong opponent.”
As for Maresca, he can field a strong attack and starting XI regardless, with Chelsea having so many good options in most areas.
The Club World Cup trophy present at the draw ceremony.
Photo by Marco Bello – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Bruno Lage name-checks Pedro Neto ahead of Chelsea clash
As well as Benfica’s workload, Lage has also discussed Pedro Neto in the build-up to his side’s game against Chelsea.
According to Lage, Neto is “one of the best wingers” in world football right now. At the Club World Cup, he has certainly looked it.
The Portugal international has scored two goals in as many games, with his first against Los Angeles FC being sublime.
If Maresca decides that some of his players also need a rest, then Lage will be hoping that Neto is one of them.
Having not featured against ES Tunis, though, you would expect the 25-year-old to make Chelsea’s first XI.