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During the preview of the Portuguese Cup match with Estoril, Jorge Jesús commented on the situation of four players who, in the opinion of the Benfica coach, have been increasing in performance.
Julian Weigl: «He is a player who did not run more than ten kilometers per game. In the last one he scored 13. Together with the data of the rest of the players, we realized that the team is running more and that they are physically better. (…) He is one of the players who has evolved the most since I arrived. I realized what he thought was important to the appreciation of the position. Now it is more intense without the ball. (…) There were several aspects to correct, one was this lack of aggressiveness. Plays ahead of the last row and requires aggression. He already had a good position, but he improved a lot in that regard.
Rafa: «Curiously, there was never Covid, but he has played games with rhythm and intensity, with a lot of tactical availability, also on a defensive level. He is already a great player, when he knows how to define better in the last pass he will be a top player. He has improved defensively and has been playing with more morale. He’s super smart tactically. When I talk to him, I notice the receptivity and ease of perceiving things. And that helps to value his game.
Diogo Gonçalves: «His understanding as a right-back has improved. With André Almeida’s injury, we understand that he would adapt to that position and it has not been easy because, defensively, he does not know the spaces he has to occupy. Week by week, game by game, he has been improving, I have been talking to him. Defensively it is better. He was extreme and remains with the same offensive quality. We hit the player who will have to discuss the position with Gilberto. I am happy with its use. He is a very concentrated professional boy, he does not talk much, but he knows what he wants. He is always ready to learn, and when he is, it is easier to train him to correct and help the player to evolve.
Pizzi: «We already played 38 games, he had 35. And there was Covid. When I first arrived at Benfica, I was the one who asked him when he was at Espanyol Barcelona, and with me he was almost always a starter. You know me well, you know my faults, you are the captain and you feel responsible for what has not gone well. He thinks that all tasks and successes go through the team and the main person in charge of the team is the coach, not the players. If they play badly, it has to do with the coach. He is a very important player because, with him, I change the system easily because he can play in more than one position. He did not play against Rio Ave, tomorrow he will play. The management of the players is my decision.
