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Hearts players didn't follow Wouter Vrancken's plan at Benfica - Sabri Guendouz explains why Europa League qualifying defeat hit Tynecastle squad hard Sabri Guendouz offers an honest assessment of Hearts’ Europa League qualifying loss at Benfica. The 6-1 scoreline in Lisbon was the Edinburgh club’s joint-highest European defeat in a single match. It hit players and management hard, even though Benfica were expected to win given their superior squad and resources. Guendouz explained his thoughts on why Hearts were overwhelmed by Marco Silva side. The Frenchman was one of his team’s brighter performers after coming on as a second-half substitute in the Estadio da Luz. He feels players didn’t follow head coach Wouter Vrancken’s gameplan accurately enough and, to a certain extent, suffered as a consequence. He is frustrated at how Thursday’s match panned out. “It's difficult because we didn't carry out the plan of the coach. When that happens, it is difficult when you play against a team this good,” said Guendouz. “I respect this club [Benfica]. This is a big club. I watched them on my TV when I was young, but when you are on the pitch it's 11 against 11. You need character and hunger to be able to compete and to get wins. “It’s the same for yourself, when you are in the game, you try to be the best in yourself. When you don't carry out the plan of the coach, it's difficult. But this is life. I see this team going forward, I have confidence in the team. The plan continues and the progression continues.” The attacking midfielder expanded on his thoughts. Vrancken wants a braver approach from Hearts and more confidence on the ball. The Belgian is determined to have his team playing open and expansive football ahead of a solid defensive base. It is very much a work in progress, and the intentions were not executed properly against Benfica, according to Guendouz. “The plan of the coach is different to the style of Scottish football, you know?” he said the 26-year-old. “The coach likes to play football. We are learning the details and in training, in the preparation games, we play good and I am playing well. But when I play against a big team, it's different, you know. It's very fast. The players are different, they have a lot of more experience. But the plan of the coach is to play football, take a risk, take the responsibility, win our duels, show our character. For me, we need this to play the football we want to play.” There is no cause for panic, for Guendouz is convinced Hearts are heading in the right direction under Vrancken. “Yeah, we'll be okay,” he said. “The loss Thursday, yes, it's a bad feeling, you know? But for me, personally, it’s good. It's a dream to play in that stadium. When I play on the pitch, I try to show the best of myself. I don't have limits. I play for the team, for the coach, for myself, my family. I’m grateful to have the chance. I just feel bad about the loss.” Dundee United are next on Hearts’ fixture list at Tynecastle on Sunday. After losing their opening Scottish Premiership match at Aberdeen last weekend, there is a desire to atone. “This is a big situation now. We lost the first league game at Aberdeen, now we have a big game at home,” said Guendouz. “We will give our best to be able to go and get that first win of the season. It would be good for the confidence of the coach and the team and all the players. We have just started the league and I am hungry for more. It’s good. “Every game you win, you take confidence from. But now we need confidence. We have lost every game so far. The first step is to play good, to play with the plan of the coach. And after we do that, step by step, I have confidence we will get to where we want to go. When all 11 players are good, the team is good. When we follow the plan, the team is good. “If we win Sunday it will be good for our heads, for our feelings. It will help our confidence and it will be good for the preparation for the next game against Benfica and the next games in the league after that. This is just the beginning. It has been difficult with the preparation we have had and the short time we have had to work with the manager. But now the season has started and we have to start winning games.”