“Unfortunately, this is Rafa's last match at the Estadio da Luz.”

The Benfica coach confirmed on Saturday that the Primeira Liga football match against Arauca will be Rafa's last at the Estadio da Luz, and admitted he owed the fans a good end to the season.

“Unfortunately, I must say that it is Rafael's last game at the Estadio da Luz. As we expected at the beginning of the season, which will likely be his last at Benfica, he confirmed that to me and the club this week.” Roger Schmidt during a press conference in Seixal.

Schmidt, who wished Rafael “the best” and expressed “respect” for the player's decision, continued that the departure of “a very special and unique player” is “another good reason” for Benfica to play a good match and make a team. Good atmosphere on the field.”

The other thing, as I mentioned before, is that the German coach considers that the team owes it to itself and its fans.

“It's the last game at home, we want to play good football and win the game. It's the same in the last game, against Rio Ave. We'll try to win to end the season feeling good. I think we owe it to that.” “This is for ourselves, but also for our fans.”

Furthermore, Schmidt stressed that he is “fully focused on these last two matches” and sent an assessment of his future until the end of the season, admitting, however, that in the current “circumstances” of protest from “part of the team” the fans” it becomes “very difficult to fight from Yes, Benfica's goals.

“If we always have to play in this environment, as a team, but also for the players to perform at their best, I think it is very difficult to win matches and be strong in the tournament and other competitions. But, globally, at the moment, my focus is on the two matches.” “The last two to prepare the team well and then we will think about everything and we will see.”

Benfica will host the Arauca team on Sunday, as part of the 33rd round of the Portuguese Football League, scheduled to start at six in the evening, at the Estadio da Luz stadium, in Lisbon, and the match will be managed by Fabio Melo (Porto).

The team led by Roger Schmidt no longer has any chance to compete for the national title, which they lost to Sporting on Sunday, after a 2-0 defeat in Famalicao, and they already know that they will finish the tournament in second place, and third-placed Porto is 10 points behind.

Arauca, in turn, is in seventh place in the championship and can still finish one place above it if it regains the three-point advantage over Moreirense, but it is still possible that they can be overtaken by Famalicao, who is still four points behind them.