Maxi Pereira has warned Chelsea that Benfica are still confident of progressing to the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Defender confident Benfica can win at Stamford Bridge
Maxi Pereira has warned Chelsea that Benfica are still confident of progressing to the UEFA Champions League semi-final despite their first leg defeat.
Salomon Kalou scored the only goal of the game at the Stadium of Light to give Chelsea a crucial away goal in the tie.
However, Benfica had their chances to take something from the game, with a powerful Jardel header forcing a sharp save from Petr Cech, while they had some claims for a second-half penalty when a Pereira cross struck John Terry's hand at close quarters.
And the full-back is sure that based on what he saw on Tuesday night, the Lisbon club can head to Stamford Bridge without any fears.
"We did not deserve to be beaten 1-0 after that match," Pereira told the club's
official website.
"It seemed to me also that there was a penalty but that is football.
"I am sure we can still progress. The team usually plays well and we will go into the second leg with hope because this is not over."
Luck
Benfica manager Jorge Jesus echoed his defender's comments, and stated that his side should have taken more from the game.
"It was a good match. Chelsea are a strong side with a lot of experience in European competition," he said.
"We dominated for almost the entire game and created more scoring opportunities but ultimately luck was not on our side.
"We were mature, played well and did not let Chelsea create a lot. I don't think we deserved to lose.
"But there is still a game to play and we feel we have the quality to score in London."
