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'It's not over, but it's extremely complicated'

Óscar Cardozo, Ola John and Kim Källström reflected on SL Benfica and FC Spartak Moskva's complex position after Celtic FC's shock win over FC Barcelona rocked Group G.

'It's not over, but it's extremely complicated'
'It's not over, but it's extremely complicated' ©UEFA.com

Óscar Cardozo made a game-changing turn as a half-time substitute for SL Benfica against FC Spartak Moskva on Wednesday, scoring two and hitting the bar twice, the second time from a penalty he had won. Yet there was a subdued air at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica after Celtic FC's surprise victory over FC Barcelona left the Scottish champions well placed in Group G behind the Catalan giants. Cardozo, team-mate Ola John and Spartak midfielder Kim Källström were unanimous: their sides' UEFA Champions League hopes have been "complicated."

Óscar Cardozo, Benfica forward
I got into the game and immediately combined well with my team-mates. The group situation is complicated but everything depends on us. Winning against Celtic and then drawing or winning in Barcelona should see us through. Everything is in our hands, and we'll fight to the end. It was a bit of a shame not to score the penalty. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don't, but the goals I did score were important for me and the team. We know we're in good form at the moment – we haven't conceded a goal in three games and it's important for a team to know that we can also score at any moment.

Ola John, Benfica forward
It's a good result today – we needed the points. Celtic's win? First you have to look at your own result before you look at the other games. There are three teams with virtually the same points, and the ball is still round – anything can happen in football. I always felt the coach [Jorge Jesus] had confidence in me and the other players. I just have to train hard and play games, making the most of every single minute I get.

Kim Källström, Spartak midfielder
We were up against a strong team. They played really well, pressed us really hard and deserved their victory. It was completely the opposite today from two weeks ago – they dominated like we did at the Luzhniki when we were winning. Of course it's disappointing [we let leads slip in our first two games]; we were ahead in those games and you have to be able to keep the lead. All four teams in the group are strong. It's difficult, it's tight, like it should be in the Champions League. It's not over yet but it's extremely complicated now.

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