Benfica’s coach, Norberto Alves, spoke exclusively to Record after a dominant win against Sporting. His team secured a massive 37-point victory on Sunday. Yet, Alves was quick to point out that this large margin doesn’t truly show the difference between the two sides. He highlighted the team’s improvements after a tough Champions League loss. It seems even big wins come with a dose of humility and strategic thinking for the experienced coach.
From European Setback to Domestic Triumph
The recent Champions League match saw Benfica face a top team from Spain’s ACB League. Alves admitted his squad started poorly and became unsettled. That game was a stark contrast to Sunday’s performance. “Today was a bit the opposite,” Alves explained. “We started strong and defended really well. Good defense allowed us to score points in transition, which gave us confidence. This peace of mind helped us find open players in half-court five-on-five situations, and we moved the ball smoothly.”
Despite the excellent display, the coach remained grounded. He emphasized that a 37-point gap isn’t typical. “Today, everything clicked for us, and everything went wrong for our opponent,” Alves stated. “I’ve had the reverse happen to me before. Some days just go that way. Still, I believe the team performed well on both defense and offense.” It’s a reminder that sports can be unpredictable, with momentum playing a huge role.
Learning from Losses, Respecting Rivals
After the heavy defeat to Gran Canaria, the Spanish club, in the last game, Alves shared his approach with the team. “We analyzed that match, just like we analyze every game,” he said. “The goal was to understand where we didn’t perform as well. Then, of course, we prepared for the Sporting game, an opponent we hold in high regard.” This methodical approach shows a coach who constantly seeks improvement, even after a tough loss.
When asked about the title race, Alves didn’t declare Benfica the main contender. He clearly stated his team’s ambition to win the championship again. However, he also gave credit to other strong teams. “I don’t know if Benfica is the main candidate for the title,” Alves remarked. “Sporting will prove to be much stronger than this result suggests; they have an excellent coach. Even our win against UD Oliveirense wasn’t as easy as it looked. And FC Porto is also a very strong team.” His comments paint a picture of a competitive league with several contenders.
Looking Ahead in Europe
Alves concluded by touching on their European campaign. “In Europe, we had a bit of bad luck with the group we ended up in,” he admitted. “They truly are top-tier teams. But we can and will perform better than we did in our last game.” It’s a clear signal that while the domestic victory was sweet, the team’s sights are also set on making a stronger impression on the international stage. The journey continues for Benfica, with eyes on both domestic and continental success.