Benfica manager says team ready to face Boca; discusses Joao Felix's possible return

VIDEO SHOWS: PRESS CONFERENCE WITH BENFICA COACH BRUNO LAGE ON THE DAY BEFORE THEIR OPENING CLUB WORLD CUP MATCH AGAINST BOCA JUNIORS

COMPLETE SHOTLIST AND SCRIPT TO FOLLOW

SHOWS: MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (JUNE 15, 2025) (FIFA - See restrictions before use)

1. BENFICA MANAGER BRUNO LAGE ENTERING THE PRESS CONFERENCE

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) SL BENFICA MANAGER BRUNO LAGE, ON THE UPCOMING GAME AGAINST CA BOCA JUNIORS, SAYING:

“It is a very important game and we need to face it. We play for Benfica and we know that we have to play three games. We understand how important it is to get points. Tomorrow is very important. We know our opponent. We had the opportunity to analyse Boca. We have also analysed other teams and other coaches. We are ready for tomorrow. It is a game that will help us win three points.”

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) SL BENFICA MANAGER BRUNO LAGE, ON NEWS OF ALVARO CARRERAS’ TRANSFER TO REAL MADRID AND HOW IT AFFECTS THE TEAM’S MINDSET, SAYING:

“This is an interesting question. We have to face this tournament as is. We have to take into account how the players are feeling. It is not the end of an era or the beginning of an era. We have to see this as a the continuation. That is the message I want to give to the players. I believe the players should be concentrating on what needs to be done. The team has been playing as a family. When we look at each other, players know that they are part of a team. They are not just colleagues, they are family. There will be situations that would stay open, because that’s how the market works.”

5. WHITE FLASH

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) SL BENFICA MANAGER BRUNO LAGE, ON JOAO FELIX’S POSSIBLE RETURN TO BENFICA, SAYING:

"With regard to Joao (Felix), there has been talk about the situation. They would like to come back to Benfica, but we have to create the right opportunities and they need to show us that they have the will to come to Benfica. So it needs to be a match, along with perfect timing. It has to be looked at in terms of the opportunity and the finance. Five years ago, Joao left at 420 million, but we may need to buy part of his contract. We have the will for it, but it needs to be good for both sides.”

STORY: Benfica manager Bruno Lage was optimistic ahead of their opening game against Boca Juniors on Monday (June 16) hailing it as a good opportunity to pick up three points and kick start his side's tournament.

The Portuguese outfit will face Boca Juniors at the Hard Rock Stadium in their opening match of the 32-team competition, which is being staged in the United States for the first time.

Lage also spoke about the Portuguese player Joao Felix's possible return to Benfica. He spent the second half of last season at AC Milan, having been loaned out by parent club Chelsea.

"We have to create the right opportunities and the player need to show us that they have the will to come to Benfica. We have the will for it, but it needs to be good for both sides," Lage said.

(Production: Revathi Hariharan)