DiMaria Speaks

In Today's "A Bola" DiMaria gives an interview where he talks about his rebirth, how much JJ has helped him and his ambitions as well as the clubs'

full interview translated after the jump..

"Third time is a charm".
After living in the shadow of Rodrigues and Reyes, sinking in the fear of being average, and the despair of not being able to confirm the "great promise of world football" label, Angelito bets all on the present season.
Pushed by JJ's unequivocal trust that is being deposited on him. "It was this that i was missing"
Interview byGonçalo Guimarães

A Bola - You have been one of the main figures of Benfica's pre-season. Do you feel that this is currently your best moment of form since arriving at Estadio da Luz 2 years ago?

Di Maria — I think so, little by little I'm starting to be at my real level. Mister Jesus gives me confidence and that is fundamental, it helps me grow. I have been a continuing starter with him, and it gives me tranquility, which makes me feel more loose inside the field and free to do what i know.

AB — Could this be the long expected year of DiMaria? Do you believe you will finally explode?

DM- I hope so. I started well and i want to continue like this. I want to explode and show all that i know. I want to be an indisputable starter for Benfica and win titles.

AB — Have Benfica fans seen you at your fullest?

DM — Only in flashes, in some games, but I can be so much better.

AB — What changed from years past to now?

DM— Before i felt that i was a common player, average, one more. In the first year with Camacho, Rodriguez arrived and i was relegated to the bench as a second choice. I don't like being on the bench, no player does, it's normal. I would always play 15-20 minutes and no player can do wonders in such little time. Then with Quique, Reyes arrived and the same thing happened. This year it's different, since the beginning, Mister Jesus has told me, and made it very clear that the starting spot would be mine, which makes me feel special, important and indisputable. I want to match that confidence and work my hardest to keep that status.

AB — Your competition is now Fabio Coentrao...

DM — He is an excellent players and a great person. I am sure there will be opportunities for both of as Benfica is involved in several competitions.

AB — Did you feel more at ease without the competition from Reyes?

DM — Those are club options, it's not up to me to comment them. I have shown that i want to be a starter.

AB — It seemed that you were down last year. Is it true that you wanted to leave Benfica?

DM — It's true that i was sad and down, as I wasn't playing much, i wasn't the first option, and couldn't show my worth, but i never said i wanted to leave. This pre-season i'm showing the real DiMaria but i can't still get better. It's a great feeling when i see the fans crazy about me. It's beautiful. I am very happy at Benfica and my family is also very happy in Lisbon. I want to stay a lot of years and I will only leave after being champion and winning titles.

AB — You went back to believing in yourself?

DM — Without a doubt. That is exactly what my dad tells me. I didn't have much confidence but i started to believe in myself again. And, i can't say it enough, i owe it to the support Mister Jesus gives me.It was that i needed, a coach that trusted in me in a continuing manner, and that told me the position was mine. Now i can have my head on straight and show what every one saw in the u20 WC and at the Olympic games. I hope that this is my year and that i can triumph.

AB — You also seem a stronger player. Does it have to do with the increase of muscular mass?

DM — Yes. I didn't put on a lot of weight but i increased both muscular mass and resistence. In past years i would rarely play 90 minutes, but against Portsmouth, for example, i played all 90 minutes and i could still go more without any problems. I am stronger in that aspect, i feel better.

AB — The secret of your strength, is owed to more of the mental aspect..

DM — Without a doubt. As I have said, before i didn't have the confidence or the tranquility that i needed. Sometimes i would read in the papers that i would play well and then i would go to the bench. The bench is not the right place for a player to grow, it's playing continuity. The fact that didn't happen would leave me very down.


AB— Are you surprised with Jorge Jesus?

DM — Very surprised in a positive way. The fact that the team is playing well, and winning is not a coincidence, it has to do with the way he works and the way he handles the players. He speaks to all, starters and non starters, he treats every one equally. Throughout the game, for example, he speaks to the players that are on the field and the ones that are on the bench, so that everyone knows what their team mates are doing right and wrong. This way we are always learning. He is a coach that makes us work a lot, but no one complains about that, on the contrary, we feel the results individually and collectively. He gives incentive and opportunities to all, he pushes us to the limit, never giving up on making us understand that we can get better. He is someone who has something special, and one of the best i have had through my career.

AB — Could he be the missing piece for Benfica?

DM — I hope so, He has already shown that he was a good choice. In very little time he changed the image of the team and has been leaving the fans euphoric. But our feet are on the ground and we are very relaxed. These pre-seasons victories are very important to give us confidence and morale, but they don't give us any points, we still haven't won anything. From the 16th, with Maritimo, it's important that we start well and win.


AB — Many times it was said that DiMaria didn't know how to defend, that he only knew how to attack. Now you do both...

DM — I'm not a defender, it's natural that i have my limitations defending., but that is a responsability that the whole team has, and that is an effort i am making to help the team. I run, I Press, and i try to close down spaces... I had to change my mentality a bit, as football is not all attacking. In training i also do defensive work which is making me a more complete player.

AB — Are you playing in the ideal position for your characteristics?

DM — Truthfully, if you notice i don't play only one position, i'm not limited to the left. I will do my position, Ramire's and Aimar's, because we have the freedom to change and go though the whole field.

AB — How has it been to play with so many countrymen?

DM — It's great to have team mates that are Argentinean and South American. Myself, Aimar, Saviola and Cardozo we have the feeling that we have been playing together for a lot of years, as we understand each other well. We can predict each others thoughts and movements.

AB — How do you deal with the news that you have clubs like Inter, Real Madrid, and Barcelona interested in you?

DM — It's a motivating situation for any player, it's a sign that my work is recognized, but my head is 100% with Benfica.

AB — What aspects do you feel you can better?

DM — Perhaps score more goals. I have to show up in the finishing zone and score. i am more confident now, it's possible.

AB — The rabona against Portsmouth, is that an image of your confidence?

DM — Most definitely. Last season i didn't have the head to do that, i didn't have mental stability . Now things come natural to me. Football is a serious game, but i also like to have fun and play with the ball. Because i felt loose and the game was decided, i decided to cross in that fashion.


AB — Were you expecting a Benfica so strong in this phase of the pre-season?

DM — I feel that the team's performances and results have exceeded everyone's expectations, but that's a sign that we are assimilating the ideas of Mister Jesus. We are growing every day, every game, and the fact that the same team always starts helps create routines and automatism between the players.

AB — Do you agreed with Maxi and Nuno Gomes that Porto are favorites?

DM — It only makes sense that they are. They are the holders and the team that has won the most in the past years, but we are working a lot to reach that objective. We are starting the season with the ambition of winning every competition in which we are in, as we have good players, good coaches, and good managerial personnel

AB — Winning the Europa League is a possible dream?V

DM — Off course we can reach the final and win, but we have to work very hard, lke we have so far.

#photo via www.slbenfica.pt