Sporting football coach Ruben Amorim confirmed this Thursday that winter reinforcement Rafael Pontelo will be called up to host Estoril Praia in a game in which the Lions want to maintain their lead in the I League.
The coach, speaking at a press conference on Friday about the match of the 16th round, did not want to reveal whether the defender hired from Leixoes will start or not, “so as not to give anything” to the opposing coach. Vasco Sebra, stressing that the team is aware of the quality of the Estorilistas, who have already beaten Porto twice this season, first in the championship (1-0), at the Dragao stadium, and then in the League Cup (3-1 ), in Amoreira.
“I don’t think it was necessary [alertar a equipa], but we paid a lot of attention to this. We talked to the players about the results that [o Estoril] had. They scored four goals in several matches and did not concede, which we had difficulties with. This is a team that has not lost in four matches. It’s not just because of their quality of play, results and confidence, but because the team is young, I don’t think they come to Alvalade intimidated. You will feel calm,” he began.
Amorim recalled that several Estorilistas players “trained at big clubs” and since the team does not have the pressure of finishing last, “they breathe differently.”
“They have a coach [Vasco Seabra] who has already shown in Portugal that he can perform well and beat big teams. Our team has been warned, they know that Estoril have a player like Gitane, perhaps one of the most volatile at the moment, they have talented kids in midfield, they have the player with the most passes on the right flank. [Rodrigo Gomes] in a system similar to ours. All this information was provided, so we will prepare for the game,” he emphasized.
Despite the absence of the injured Coates, Saint-Juste and Fresneda, as well as Ivorian Diamond and Japanese Morita, playing for their teams, the coach said he believed in winning the three points.
“I’m not worried about the concedions. We are ready to win the game. It will be a difficult game against a relaxed team. We will present a strong team,” he assured.
When asked if he would like to see Rafik Gitane in the Sporting squad, Ruben Amorim made it clear that, at least in the short term, he is not part of the Leonina squad.
“Rafic Gitane is a player who will appeal to any coach who loves football. We are not interested in him because we have players with similar characteristics for the same position,” he said.
Sporting, which leads the first league with 37 points, hosts Estoril Praia, ninth with 17, on Friday at 18:45 in the opening match of the 16th round, which will be refereed by Claudio Pereira of the Aveiro Football Association.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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