Coach Rúben Amorim admitted on Wednesday that Sporting’s football season is falling far short of its goals and made it clear that not even a possible victory in the Europa League could save the year for the lions.
The fourth place in the I Liga, 15 points behind the isolated leader Benfica, the elimination of the Portuguese Cup and the defeat in the Taça da Liga final against FC Porto leave the Lisbon club with its sights set on the second club UEFA’s most important competition, although the Leon coach believes that the European test will not save the season.
“It is a season well below our objectives and not even the Europa League will save it. It is not the life saver, nor will winning the Europa League save what we did in the championship, because we have the responsibility. There are very strong clubs in the Europa League, the Portuguese in Europe are never the main favourites”, he justified, in the press conference prior to the first leg of the play-off for access to the round of 16, with Midtjylland.
Sporting faces the Nordic team this Thursday, after the defeat at home against FC Porto (2-1), for the championship, in which the lions are in a delicate position, ahead of qualifying for the champions next season, which can also be achieved by winning the Europa League.
“The two ways to qualify are difficult. I think we can always do better, we control the future in the Europa League, because they are knockouts and everything is possible, but in the championship you have to wait for the others to lose points.” he analyzed.
Regarding Thursday’s rival, who has not played official matches since November 13, 2022, Amorim foresees difficulties, but does not expect surprises.
“For me they are two games that are always dangerous. Competition makes teams grow and in that sense we have an advantage. Being in competition gives us that advantage. Our rival has a coach who plays in 4-3-3, we are looking for individuals and that should not surprise us, ”he predicted.
Goalkeeper Antonio Adán also spoke to the media, to the coach, informing about his irregularity between the sticks, but preferring to point out the good things that Sporting can still do.
“The season has been irregular. I feel good, we can point to two mistakes in the season and I admit it, but I’ve been at Sporting for more than 110 games and you have to see everything from the right perspective. There are many matches left and many things to achieve, mainly we want consistency in the results, “he declared.
The experienced 35-year-old Spanish player also commented on the arrival of reinforcements Héctor Bellerín and Diomandé.
“I already knew Hector from his time at Arsenal. In Spain he played for Betis and had a great campaign, managing to win a title. Diomandé didn’t know him that well, but he surprised me the way he moved on the field. defensive line, his physical power and his way of getting the ball out,” he concluded.
Sporting receives the Danish team on Thursday, at the Estádio José Alvalade, at 8:00 p.m., in the first leg of the play-off access to the round of 16 of the Europa League, which will be led by the French François Letexier and has a report on the TSF and minute tracking tsf.pt
The second leg will be played on February 23, in Denmark, with the winner of the tie entering the round of 16 draw, which already includes the eight teams that won the group stage.
Source: TSF
