Coach Rúben Amorim acknowledged on Wednesday that Sporting “must continue” in the Europa League play out access to the round of 16 and do better than in the last I Liga match.
Questioned in Alcochete about a statement by Pedro Gonçalves after the meeting with Desportivo de Chaves, the coach acknowledged that “it is important that the players feel” the importance of the challenge against Midtjylland and stressed the need to move forward in the league.
“We have to go on [Liga] Europe because we need that experience, because we want to win games, because the season has not been what we wanted and because we have to play better. That is the most important. Before we think about winning, it’s about playing better and we have an obligation to do better than [último] weekend”summed up the carriage of the ‘green-white’.
In this sense, Amorim admitted that he liked “the words of the Pot.” [Pedro Gonçalves]”, but recalled that “what that can’t convey is the fear” the team showed in the first leg, in Lisbon, where they drew 1–1 with a goal from Coates in the last minute of added time.
“What we need to do is have the ball, without fear, without doubts about what we are doing. Play better, because then we are closer to victory. Pay close attention to set pieces, both defensive and offensive, they will be decisive in this.” game. Actually, it’s better to play to win the game”he remarked as he just opened the press conference to look ahead to the game in Denmark.
And Amorim’s words were well assimilated by the players, because just before the coach took the seat in the press room of Academia Sporting, Matheus Reis also acknowledged that continuity in the Europa League “is one of the great goals of the season” and pointed out on how you do it.
“We have to get there, keep possession, let them chase and be more aggressive to score the goal,” said the defender of the ‘lions’.
Amorim with plans to have Pedro Goncalves up front
Coach Rúben Amorim revealed that he plans Sporting’s next football season with Pedro Gonçalves always available to play in attack, but stressed that the player can also be influential in midfield.
Asked about the player’s position in various games this season, and whether he sees him more as a midfielder or an attacking player, the coach admitted he sees him “more up front” and revealed some of his plans for 2023 /24.
“In planning for the next season, we are securing this situation to have the Pot [Pedro Gonçalves] always free to pre-play more. But, as I said, the most important thing is the team,” revealed Rúben Amorim, referring to Pedro Gonçalves “has lowered [no campo] for the qualities” he has as a footballer, “and also for the necessity”.
He also explained that he has “players up front who are more willing to replace him than in midfield”, not even “replacing goals”, which Pedro Gonçalves “has a great ability to do”, but acknowledged that the constant changes in positioning does not benefit.
“Obviously it doesn’t benefit any player. But the truth is if he scores the penalty [que cedeu a Chermiti, frente ao Desportivo de Chaves] was the top scorer [da I Liga], even playing many matches as a central midfielder. And it shows that he is also willing to play there,” said the ‘leonine’ coach.
Still talking about the penalty that the transmontano won in Monday’s encounter, and that he gave the penalty to the young Chermiti, when the score was 3-1 and, in the words of Rúben Amorim, Sporting needed to “break the game” , devalued the 18-year-old’s failure.
“He is a very mature boy, very hardworking, who will improve in these aspects, so I see the penalty situation as normal. He missed a penalty, the next one will score,” he noted.
Rúben Amorim discussed next season’s schedule and the positioning of Pedro Gonçalves at the press conference as he previewed the second leg of the Europa League play-off round of 16 against Midtjylland.
On Thursday, the Lions ‘only’ need to win by any result to progress in the competition, following the 1-1 draw in the first leg, played at Estádio José Alvalade, where a goal from Coates in the 90+4 minute prevented the Danes from winning with a goal from Ashour (77).
Source: DN
