"I expect Benfica to have a great team with many good players, led by a quality coach, who was champion last season and will be second this season. It will be a difficult game against an opponent who is in high spirits after the 5-0 victory [against Arouca] last round", analyzed Luís Freire.

The coach from Vila do Conde acknowledged that it will be a "different game" for the two teams, as it is the end of the season, and both teams no longer have great objectives to achieve, but he set goals for his group.

"We have 11 games in a row without losing, and we want to finish the championship well, maintaining our invincibility. It is a moment to enjoy and show the quality of our players. It is a good challenge to end the season, but we have to surpass ourselves", said Luís Freire.

The coach wants, therefore, in this duel with the 'eagles', for his team to present itself with "humility, work and resilience" and to show the arguments that allowed it to overcome a season with several setbacks.

"As a coach, I would say that this was the best job ever. It was a season full of difficulties, in which we lost many players compared to last year, we could not have reinforcements until the middle of the season, and then we had to rebuild the squad and we still had some salary problems. Even so, we only have one defeat in the second round. It is a fantastic performance", he added.

Luís Freire recalled that Rio Ave has done well in games with the top teams in the league and hopes to maintain this trend.

"Of the top six teams, we still haven't played, in this second round, with Benfica, and none of the others have beaten us. We are undefeated in this last third of the championship. It is something we want to maintain", he stressed.

With a contract for one more year, Luís Freire said he is already preparing for next season, even anticipating changes in the club's structure.

"We know that Rio Ave will have an investor, but it is up to me to do my job and plan for next season. I am optimistic about the club's sporting future compared to this season", he said.

The coach from Vila do Conde also guaranteed that the forward Ukra, who announced the end of his career, will have the opportunity to play this last game, against Benfica.

"He will play and have the moment to say goodbye to the fans and to Portuguese football. It will be a deserved tribute for everything he has given to Rio Ave, but also to national football", concluded Luís Freire

Rio Ave, 10th place with 36 points, hosts Benfica, second with 79, this Friday in a match scheduled for 8:45 pm, which will be refereed by David Silva, from the Porto Football Association.