Burnley forward Zemi Amdouni thinks he failed to shine at Benfica because Bruno Lage didn’t believe in him.
[A Bola cover comments](https://www.abola.pt/noticias/amdouni-desiludido-com-o-benfica-e-com-razoes-de-queixa-de-lage-2025110511125383532) from the 24-year-old today. He doesn’t hold back in criticising his former manager at Benfica.
The attacker joined the Portuguese side on loan last summer, with Benfica paying Burnley €2m for the pleasure. Amdouni went on to make 24 appearances for them in the league, scoring seven goals and registering one assist. He also managed 11 appearances in the Champions League.
He was never a permanent fixture in the side, though. His 24 appearances in the league saw him manage just 852 minutes, around 35 per game. There were also 11 appearances in the Champions League totalled 238 minutes.
Ultimately Benfica elected not to sign the forward permanently in the summer. That left him heading back to Burnley, where he was also not a permanent part of the plans.
Now he’s on the sidelines after suffering a cruciate ligament tear in pre-season this summer. That’s likely to see him miss the rest of the season, with a return predicted in the middle of next year.
It’s given him time to look back at last season, and it seems he was less than impressed with Benfica manager Bruno Lage.
“Regarding Benfica, a part of me remains disappointed, very disappointed indeed. I feel they didn’t give me the chance I deserved. Despite the limited playing time, I showed good things,” he said.
“It remains a strong experience, but I regret not having won everything there, because, with the squad we had, we should have won everything.
“The transfer didn’t happen because the coach and I didn’t share the same vision. I only played one or two games in my true position all season, without ever complaining. Regarding Mourinho’s arrival at Benfica, I was happy for my former teammates and wish them all the best.”