Anderson Talisca’s trip back to the Estádio da Luz wasn’t a happy homecoming. After Fenerbahçe’s 1-0 loss to Benfica, which pushed the Turkish club into the Europa League, the Brazilian midfielder had plenty to say. Talisca, a former player for Benfica’s Reds, didn’t hold back when talking about the referee’s performance. He even mentioned that José Mourinho had given the team a heads-up about this specific official.
The left-footed player noted how his team stepped up after halftime. “In the second half, we managed to play our game and control the pace,” he explained. “But we just couldn’t score, which was a real shame.” Talisca was especially upset about being sent off. “Our coach, José Mourinho, had already talked about this referee,” he revealed. “Last season, this same official made things difficult for us in a Europa League game against Rangers. He repeated the same actions tonight.” Talisca added a surprising detail about his red card. “I didn’t even see Barrenechea when the sending off happened.”
Even though his team was out, Talisca shared some good wishes for his old club. He hopes Benfica will keep up their winning ways, just like when he wore their jersey. “I hope they win,” he stated. “They always won when I was here with them.” He also took a moment to praise the vibe at the Estádio da Luz. “It was calm and beautiful, as it always is,” he said. Now, his focus is clear: “We need to concentrate on our league matches.”