Dodi Lukebakio, Benfica’s dynamic winger, looked beyond the raw numbers after their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. The game at Stamford Bridge was a tough one, leaving the team without any points. Yet, Lukebakio’s focus immediately shifted to the incredible support from the fans. He openly regretted not being able to reward their unwavering loyalty with a win.
“We knew going into that match that it would be a real challenge,” Lukebakio shared in his post-game interview. “Even so, I believe we played with great spirit. We were desperate to take home the win. It always hurts to miss out on three points. But we’re taking the lessons from this game. We’ll use them to push harder for a victory next time.”
Lukebakio is still working his way back to peak physical condition. He noted how much better he feels with each passing match. “I always give my absolute best,” he explained. “I’m feeling good, truly. But I won’t lie, finishing that full game was a grind. Pushing through moments like that, giving everything I had, is the fastest way to get back into the rhythm of high-level play.”
Now, all eyes turn to the monumental classic match against FC Porto. Lukebakio is brimming with confidence. He fully expects Benfica to deliver a strong performance. He sees this upcoming game as a perfect chance to give back to the faithful supporters. “We truly need them,” he said, speaking about the fans. “I want to personally thank them for their amazing strength and energy. It means the world to us players. We are going to try everything to beat FC Porto for them. They are fantastic, pure and simple. We believe in ourselves, and more importantly, they believe in us too.”