Sporting lost in Turin (1-0) but could have drawn or even won thanks to the performances and goals created in the home of Juventus, so Rúben Amorim believes it is possible to draw the tie and even get a place in the semifinals. final of the Europa League.
“The team has already shown in the championship that it excels in these games, it is comfortable, it is bold and consistent, apart from the Marseille games. [fase de grupos da Champions]. We are strong in these games. We have sensations from Turin, where we created chances and managed Juventus’ strengths well. We weren’t as effective as they were, and that made all the difference. We have good feelings, but players have been told that this game is completely different. There are details that change the game. They are experienced and have an edge,” the leonine coach said ahead of the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Changing the chip from a poor result in the I Liga to an epic European night was easier than the other way around. Amorim said that “the players know they have not had a very good championship”, but they will be prepared for another great European night: “We have a big mountain to climb, but we know it’s possible.”
And he hopes to exploit “some Italian fear”: “We have to be smart and realize that the game will have several moments where we will be at the top with some difficulties, but we have 90 minutes to do that and at least equal score. Of course we think we can pass, but we are aware that 90 minutes will be difficult. If it’s like Arsenal, it will be 120 and then penalties…”
Also with the league not going well for the Lions (they are 4th and struggling to qualify for the Champions League qualifiers), will this be Sporting’s most important game of the season? “I don’t know if it will be because if we pass, the main thing is next. I know that the sensations we have, the fact that the stadium is sold out in one day, give the feeling that it is the decisive moment in a bad season, because I have to say it honestly. We are good at these moments, it is a decisive moment, but I feel that we are prepared for it,” the coach replied.
Improvement of effectiveness is necessary. I expect a 3x5x2. We expect three midfielders. It might not be Pogba, it might be Fagioli. We are prepared for different scenarios, but the construction does not change much, it was done in four because Kostic always plays on the line. I don’t think we will be surprised. Juventus are a team full of good players and can change the way they play with just one change. There is talk of Sporting’s number of chances to score, and if we look the other way, we don’t see great opportunities either. Arouca shot twice on goal and scored a goal. We have to defend and attack effectively, otherwise we have no chance,” he warned.
Without Paulinho (injured) and without a striker in the selection, scoring goals becomes more complicated. Do you hold on to the idea from the start of the season that you didn’t need a striker? “Now it’s easier for us to talk about what should have been or not. I’m obviously learning, I’m not going to say if I’m right or not, I’ll leave that open. Nobody expected Paulinho’s injury, but if we are going to count on that for all positions we would need around 30 players. If we had Paulinho in Arouca I guarantee we would end the game with Paulinho, Coates and Youssef up front. Coates is always an option as he is the team’s best header he was the only way to create danger Coates is going there not just because we are less advanced but because it’s useful to be up front in certain matches I want a good header .” , he defended.
The leonine coach confessed that he likes to say he has no regrets, but that would be a lie as he has a lot of regrets. And he remembered that Pote was our best scorer and in Turin he missed a goal from four yards from goal. Therefore, the issue of the striker has a lot to say.
Trincão spoke about the team’s bipolarity. How is this explained? “It was my fault that we fluctuated a lot in the beginning. We were not prepared to be consistent from minute one. We got up to cruising speed from the pre-season and let ourselves go a bit. In the 3rd round we had already lost five points and from then on it was very difficult. At key moments of the season we were not as effective as we should have been in turning the situation around. Europa League? We are prepared to go through the round,” said Rúben Amorim.
The coach also said that Diomande’s mistake in the duel with Arouca (1-1) is over and that he keeps faith in him… not least because he is not St. Juste (injured). The young central defender will start against Juventus.
Does the team need a dose of heroism to succeed? “I think we always need consistency and effectiveness against these teams. Heroism is something that transcends a little bit. When we are at our best, we can pass Juventus. Above all, we have to do our job correctly, and that’s all.” it is difficult. Marking players like Di María, Vlahovic, Pogba or Chiesa for 90 minutes is already heroic,” Amorim replied, before wishing the journalists good luck… and saying that Morita would speak in Japanese.
Source: DN
