# Marco Silva admits Benfica were not at their level in the Azores

- URL: https://apitofinal.pt/en/nacional-en/marco-silva-admits-benfica-were-not-at-their-level-in-the-azores/
- Published: 2026-10-28T15:33:13+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-28T16:26:37+00:00
- Publisher: Apito Final (apitofinal.pt)
- Section: Benfica, Nacional
- Tags: Gil Vicente, Marco Silva, Santa Clara

## Key points

- Marco Silva admitiu que o Benfica não esteve ao seu nível na primeira parte contra o Santa Clara, nos Açores.
- Segundo o treinador, o problema não foi a intensidade, mas a dificuldade em controlar o jogo como habitualmente.
- Após o intervalo, a equipa ajustou a abordagem e resolveu um jogo difícil, graças à inspiração individual de dois ou três jogadores.

## Article

Marco Silva acknowledged, at the pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Gil Vicente, that the team did not show their usual level in the first half of their last match in the Azores, against Santa Clara.

The head coach explained that a lack of intensity was not the main cause of the performance falling short of expectations, but rather the inability to take control of the game as usual. ‘Honestly, it’s not a question of intensity. Maybe I used that word… But it’s about playing at our level, being able to take control of the game and playing the way we usually play,’ he said.

Compared with the previous match in Cyprus, the head coach admitted the team started with a more determined attitude, but then let the game drift without the same intensity.

## Santa Clara’s merit and pitch conditions

Marco Silva gave a detailed analysis and admitted the first half was not satisfactory. ‘Giving credit to Santa Clara first, then we talked about the weather conditions. But we were not at our level in the first half. It had nothing to do with intensity,’ he stressed.

According to the head coach, Santa Clara showed positive aggression, but his side’s execution of the game plan was not done well, influenced by the pitch conditions and the difficulty the players felt during the match.

## The reaction after half-time

After the interval, the team adjusted its approach and, thanks to the individual inspiration of a few players, sorted out a game that looked difficult. ‘We put things right at half-time and, with the individual inspiration of two or three players, we solved a game that was very difficult,’ said Marco Silva.

With the next match in sight, the head coach believes the team will be better prepared for the challenge. The analysis made during and after the game serves to help the players understand the mistakes and come into the next match in better form.