Jesus: Better team lost

Benfica Coach Jorge Jesus believes his team deserved more from their Europa League final defeat to Sevilla.

The Portuguese champions had the better of the match at Juventus Stadium but could not find a winner and eventually went down 4-2 on penalties.

The loss was Benfica’s second Europa League final defeat in two years and the eighth time in succession they have lost in the final of a European competition.

Speaking at his post-match Press conference, the 59-year-old congratulated his opponents and said his side’s task now is to focus on Sunday’s Portuguese Cup final against Rio Ave.

“It was a great match and a great final,” Jesus told the assembled media. “It was an open match.

“I think in the second half Benfica showed they are the better team and we created chances to score a goal.

“But the better team didn’t win, the better team didn’t win the Europa League. We need to think about Sunday now because we have another final and in football there is no point in looking back.

“We need to forget about the Europa League and congratulate Sevilla because they always showed they really wanted to reach this final.

“We were the better team but in football the better teams don’t always win. We need to lift our heads up now because we have a very important match on Sunday.”

The tactician was then asked about the refereeing performance of German official Felix Brych.

“I think we should have had a penalty during the match but he didn’t give it.

“I don’t think he would admit the mistake but we cannot be blaming the referee.”

Tags Benfica Jesus Rio Ave
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