Benfica kept their title hopes alive with a 3-2 victory over Estrela da Amadora on Sunday, but coach Marco Silva warned his team must fix the transition errors that let the game slip away in the second half, Notícias ao Minuto reported.
Silva spoke to Sport TV after the 11th-round match, describing the comeback as a triumph of character.
“It is a victory of soul, spirit and will that we demonstrated throughout the game,” Silva said. “In the last 25 minutes it was clearly shown that this is a team that never gave up, as is our obligation.”
The coach acknowledged his side dominated the first half but started the second by losing possession to counterattacks.
Silva said Benfica played exactly as he wants in the opening 45 minutes, controlling the game completely. The drop in intensity after halftime, he said, was unacceptable.
“One thing is winning with great spirit, another thing is the way we started the second half and allowed the game to become open,” Silva said. “There are many things to improve.”
Silva also addressed the heavy squad rotation, noting three players repeated from Thursday’s match. Tomás, who played from Monday through Sunday, was substituted as a precaution after feeling overloaded in his leg.
Fredrik Aursnes missed the match with adductor discomfort felt in the final phase of training, Silva said.
“We don’t like easy excuses,” Silva said. “We have to analyze this game very well.”
The victory keeps Benfica in contention for the league title despite the shaky performance. Silva praised the supporters who stayed until the end.
“I like to perceive and feel this communion,” Silva said. “Until the last second, they pushed for the team.”