Benfica coach Roger Schmidt has provided an update on the availability of defender Alex Grimaldo for tomorrow evening’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Inter.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the match, as reported by FCInterNews, the German coach also spoke about the importance of former Nerazzurri midfielder Joao Mario to this Benfica side.
Whilst Benfica will be without a couple key players in the form of defender Nicolas Otamendi, suspended for tomorrow’s match, and wingback Alexander Bah, who was injured during a league match against Porto on Friday, they will still have no shortage of quality players to call upon.
For Schmidt, the two absentees will be players whose absence can be made up for, whilst there are also a number of other top players who he has faith will put in the performances needed against the Nerazzurri.
The coach noted that “Nicolas Otamendi will be absent, but we have excellent players in central defense, including Verissimo and Morato, who haven’t been able to play much thus far, but tomorrow one of the two will be in the starting lineup and then another can come off the bench.”
Of Grimaldo, the German coach updated that “He’ll be available.”
Of former Inter midfielder Joao Mario, Schmidt said that “He’s a key player for us, he has leadership, he’s our vice-captain.”
“He’s had a great season up to this point and not just in terms of goals and assists,” the coach added of Mario, “I expect a great performance from him.”
“Given that Otamendi won’t be playing, we’ll need his leadership.”
As for the Nerazzurri, the Benfica coach said that “Inter have shown that they have quality and deserve to be in the quarterfinals.”
“At the moment they’re struggling in the league, but they’re a team with quality and experience.”
