2 November 2006, by Marco Pereira

Benfica 3-0 Celtic - match reaction

Fernando Santos, Benfica coach:

“It was a positive night. Benfica were a more compact team and better in our defence-attack transitions. The team started the game well. Taking advantage of chances is very important in these games and we managed to do this in the two situations at the start of the game. Between the 30-minute mark and the end of the first half, the game was more balanced.”

“Celtic did manage to dominate some aspects. At that point, our team became a bit disorganized in terms of ball movement and we did not manage to be as fluid. At the break we managed to change some important aspects in terms of strategy and organisation.”

“In the second half I thought we dominated the game, in spite of Celtic’s response. We played a good game. It was not a perfect, but it was a good game that gave us the victory which was what we wanted.”

Quim, Benfica goalkeeper:

“This match proved that we are not as bad as we appeared in Glasgow. It was also good to equal the amount of goals that we suffered there. In relation to Celtic, we are now equal.”

Nelson, Benfica right-back

“Happily, things went well for me and Benfica. I sensed the team was more confident than they were in Glasgow. I don’t want to say that we played badly there, but we approached this game with more purpose here.”

“We played to win and we will approach the games against Copenhagen and Manchester to win. Logically, we believe in advancing because it depends on us and we are more confident.”

Gordon Strachan, Celtic coach:

“I cannot explain how disappointed we are. We will analyse what happened. It was a bad group exhibition and when I am speaking of the group I am speaking of myself as well as the players.”

“I know what the result was in Copenhagen. We continue to be the second favourites to advance. We will put this game behind us and attempt to do better.”

Benfica 3-0 Celtic - Match Report