Football
ESPN staff 8y

Benfica persistence pays off in first-leg result versus Zenit, says Vitoria

Benfica manager Rui Vitoria's confidence in his team was boosted by their 1-0 Champions League last-16 win versus Zenit St Petersburg, despite needing an injury-time goal from Oliveira Jonas to secure victory.

The first-leg result gives Vitoria's team a decided advantage as they head to Zenit for the second leg in two weeks' time, having not conceded an away goal to their Russian Premier League rivals.

"We won deservedly against a good team," Vitoria said in his post-match news conference. "We were very strong. We didn't want to take risks and managed to control the game.

"We could have scored earlier but justice came at the end. I'm very happy with the way the team played today. I think we deserved to score earlier. I am very happy with my players. We won because of our persistence and because of the way we worked.

"1-0 is always a good result in European competitions and I am almost 100 percent sure that we will score in St Petersburg. I trust totally in my players and in my squad.

"We'll respect the opposition [in the second leg], knowing we believe in what we do. We play to create chances and we'll do the same [in Russia]. I won't change my ideas or my team's identity."

Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches was more reserved in his praise for the team and was quick to point out that there is still much work ahead for the Portuguese side should they hope to advance to the quarterfinals.

"It was a very even game. We played against a very good team, and we were fortunate to score near the end," Sanches said.

"I feel more confident after each game and I want to thank the fans for all the support they have been giving me.

"It will be a different game in Russia, even more with the cold that we will probably get there, which we are not used to."

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