Benfica are in a delicate situation ahead of their Europa League tie against PSV after being disorientated in front of their own fans last weekend.
Having been outplayed by a triumphant Porto side last weekend, Benfica will automatically turn their attentions and focus towards the Europa League tie against PSV Eindhoven, mainly because this is their one and only chance to salvage or perhaps rescue a dismal season.
Jorge Jesus now has a huge task on his hand, to re-group his players ahead of their all-important first leg match against the Dutch side. Co-incidentally, PSV are also not having the best of their times having surrendered top spot in the Eredivise last weekend.
However, Fred Rutten believes that Benfica have a weak link in their defenses and insisted that his team would be going all out to exploit that weakness.
"Benfica are the strongest team we have faced until now. At home they attack a lot and sometimes they forget the defence, which is why they concede so many.
"Individually Benfica have strong players that can win matches. Like all teams they have their weaknesses and we'll try to exploit them"."
Rutten was also quick to dismiss that Águias would have the advantage of having to only focus on the Europa League. The former Schalke manager said: "Although Benfica are fully focused on the Europa League, we are still in the league.
"Therefore, our approach is to take one match at a time. Our goal is to win. We respect Benfica a lot, but we also know they respect us a lot."
Rutten's opinions were not justified enough as Jesus' men have won four out of their five European home matches this season. Only Schalke have managed to get a result at Estadio da Luz, during the Champions League group stages.
Nevertheless, Jorge Jesus reckons that the fans support will be crucial for them to maintain their good record at home.
Jesus said: "It's important to have the support of the fans. We are told the stadium should be full and that's great."
Jesus was literally not bothered with Rutten's claims over Benfica's weak defence and the experienced manager rebutted his counterpart by stating that he doesn't mind conceding as long as his team achieves victory.
"If we concede again and win I don't care because that's the most important thing". Winning 1-0 is better than 2-1, but the primary aim is to win.
"PSV are an excellent side, one of the best in Holland. They have their ambitions in the competition, and we feel we can go through.
Everybody knows that this encounter offers a chance for the Diabos Vermelhos to seek redemption after their disappointing defeat to Porto. However, Jesus rejected any such claims by clearly pointing out the difference between those two matches.
"We always knew before the match against Porto the league was already lost. We wanted to beat Porto for pride.
"Tomorrow is another competition and each team who is in the last eight has a chance of winning. We haven't been to a final for many years and we are focused first on reaching the semis. Then the path may be clearer."
While both sides will be looking to stamp their own influence on the match, Jorge Jesus will definitely be aware that this clash could yet be the defining moment of their poor season so far.
Although they have struggled to cope with FC Porto in the league, the Encarnados have done pretty well in Europe and if there is one thing to expect from the match at Estádio da Luz tomorrow, it has to be a football feast.
Jorge Jesus now has a huge task on his hand, to re-group his players ahead of their all-important first leg match against the Dutch side. Co-incidentally, PSV are also not having the best of their times having surrendered top spot in the Eredivise last weekend.
However, Fred Rutten believes that Benfica have a weak link in their defenses and insisted that his team would be going all out to exploit that weakness.
"Benfica are the strongest team we have faced until now. At home they attack a lot and sometimes they forget the defence, which is why they concede so many.
"Individually Benfica have strong players that can win matches. Like all teams they have their weaknesses and we'll try to exploit them"."
Rutten was also quick to dismiss that Águias would have the advantage of having to only focus on the Europa League. The former Schalke manager said: "Although Benfica are fully focused on the Europa League, we are still in the league.
"Therefore, our approach is to take one match at a time. Our goal is to win. We respect Benfica a lot, but we also know they respect us a lot."
Rutten's opinions were not justified enough as Jesus' men have won four out of their five European home matches this season. Only Schalke have managed to get a result at Estadio da Luz, during the Champions League group stages.
Nevertheless, Jorge Jesus reckons that the fans support will be crucial for them to maintain their good record at home.
Jesus said: "It's important to have the support of the fans. We are told the stadium should be full and that's great."
Jesus was literally not bothered with Rutten's claims over Benfica's weak defence and the experienced manager rebutted his counterpart by stating that he doesn't mind conceding as long as his team achieves victory.
"If we concede again and win I don't care because that's the most important thing". Winning 1-0 is better than 2-1, but the primary aim is to win.
"PSV are an excellent side, one of the best in Holland. They have their ambitions in the competition, and we feel we can go through.
Everybody knows that this encounter offers a chance for the Diabos Vermelhos to seek redemption after their disappointing defeat to Porto. However, Jesus rejected any such claims by clearly pointing out the difference between those two matches.
"We always knew before the match against Porto the league was already lost. We wanted to beat Porto for pride.
"Tomorrow is another competition and each team who is in the last eight has a chance of winning. We haven't been to a final for many years and we are focused first on reaching the semis. Then the path may be clearer."
While both sides will be looking to stamp their own influence on the match, Jorge Jesus will definitely be aware that this clash could yet be the defining moment of their poor season so far.
Although they have struggled to cope with FC Porto in the league, the Encarnados have done pretty well in Europe and if there is one thing to expect from the match at Estádio da Luz tomorrow, it has to be a football feast.
