Coach Artur Jorge this Saturday lamented the “noise” caused by Benfica’s criticism of the Portuguese Cup referee on Thursday, insisting that “no one will take the credit” of Sporting de Braga’s victory.
At the end of that quarter-final, which the Minho team won on penalties (5-4, after 1-1 at the end of regulation and extra time), Benfica’s coach and president, Roger Schmidt and Rui Costa, respectively, strongly criticized the refereeing of Tiago Martins.
“I’m sorry there was too much noise compared to the last game, but you can make as much noise as you want. No one will take away the merit of our win, the capacity the team had and how it behaved and the work of the players,” said the coach. at the press conference ahead of the visit to Marítimo, on Sunday, for the 20th round of the I Liga.
For the coach, “there is an attempt to devalue Sporting de Braga’s victory”.
“We and our supporters will certainly not be swayed or swayed and they can continue to make as much noise as they like. No one takes the credit for a very deserved win for Braga against a strong Benfica, but we were more capable.” he stressed.
Artur Jorge said that “mentally the team is very strong and motivated” by the victory against the ‘incarnates’, but warned that Marítimo was trying to “get out of the awkward position it is in”. [penúltimo]and therefore expect a “very strong and combative” opponent.
“Theoretically, given the classification, it’s easy” to agree that the Minho team is a favorite, the coach said, “but I want to be more restrained and remember how hard we had to win in Paços’ house de Ferreira, ranked last. It will be a very demanding game, just as demanding as with Benfica, because Marítimo wants to get out of the uncomfortable position it is in,” he said.
Physically, Thursday’s game already left “some dents”, which showed that the technical team and other departments of the club will have “additional work in the recovery of the players to have them in the best conditions” against the Islanders.
Al Musrati and Iuri Medeiros, penalized, are certain absentees, players that the coach considered “important”.
“But I normally face it because we have a capable squad and with solutions to remain a competent team. I’m sure these casualties will not be felt,” he said.
On Thursday, Sporting de Braga will receive the Italians from Fiorentina, who have access to the last 16 of the Europa League in the first leg of the play-offs, a tight schedule, especially this month, with which the coach agrees.
“There will always be a very short distance between games and it takes physical and emotional management to deal with successes and eventually some failures,” he said.
Niakaté left with complaints against the ‘incarnate’, but the coach revealed that it was a matter of fatigue and that the French central defender is available, as is the whole group, with the exception of the injured Gorby and the suspended one.
Sporting de Braga, third, with 43 points, and Marítimo, 17th, with 13, face each other on Sunday from 8:30 p.m. at Estádio do Marítimo, in Funchal, a match that will be led by Rui Costa, from the port association.
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Source: DN
