Portimonense plays this afternoon, at 18:30 pm, in Paços de Ferreira, their continuity in the League Cup. In group C, no team is in such good condition to move forward. A draw ensures first place in the group, but the Algarve team could even lose and reach the semi-finals, depending on what Sporting does in Arouca. For all these reasons, the climate is trustworthy in Portimão and coach José Augusto wants to make history.
Looking ahead to the match, José Augusto recalled that reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup is not a goal, but, given the circumstances, the ambition to reach the top four teams in the competition is great.
The elimination “would be a disappointment, but our objective was achieved, which was to enter this group stage, so that the players would have to pull the strings, because they would find teams from another level. But if you talk to me about ambition, this is stronger, because we have a window to create a historic moment in the club», he said.
However, José Augusto highlights the difficulties that the Algarve club has faced this season. «I have to manage the detail of the squad. I have very little recovery time for players». In addition, Portimonense had to face “a journey of more than seven hours. I've lost count of the kilometers we've been doing, but we're going with our mental strength».
One of the players who didn't have enough time to recover is Ewerton. the hero of victory with Sporting he traveled with the team, but "he is conditioned" and before the time of the game there will be a decision on whether he will enter the stadium at Mata Real Stadium.
Paços de Ferreira can no longer move forward, but the Portimonense coach doesn't expect any more facilities for that. “For those who think about easy things, things go wrong. The squad at Paços de Ferreira has a lot of quality. It's true that they will manage players, because they have a game soon with a direct opponent, which is Arouca, who will play with Sporting, and, perhaps, will also play with other lines. That's why we're going to play without being easy and focused».
Who should be on the pitch of Mata Real is André Carvalhas, who leads the top scorers in the League Cup, with four goals, three of them to Arouca. The player says that the Alvinegro squad «expects to pass. We played a great game against Sporting, where I wasn't, by punishment, but that proves the quality of the team, one leaves, another enters, and the team doesn't suffer. Tomorrow we hope to achieve victory as well».
However, if it is not possible, “we know all the possible outcomes for the pass. Victory comes, but if we draw too, and if we lose, it could also come. We are going to try to play with it all and bring the ticket to the Algarve», he added.
After a historic victory against Sporting, Portimonense, in the "return" to the Second League, lost at home to Aves, but, for Lucas, «the defeat served to “calm down”, to focus even more and concentrate in our mistakes. This defeat makes us stronger!».
The Portimonense player, who has been one of the most regulars this season, also regrets the long journeys that the squad is forced to make throughout the season, but set the tone for tonight's match: «we are strong, we are the Warriors of South and we are prepared for everything!».
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