THE Alverca coach, Sérgio Ferreira, recognized today that the game against Casa Pia, for the 11th round of the I Football League, will require the best version of the team to try to return to triumphs in the championship.
The Ribatejos are coming off two consecutive 1-0 defeats against Arouca and Benfica, but had a positive performance at Estádio da Luz, in the last round.
The Alverca coach recalled the demands of the last game, but wants the same level of commitment from the Ribatejo fans against the ‘geese’.
“We want to maintain the compact and supportive way we defend. The team went to the limits in the game against Benfica, and even with ten against Arouca, they managed to defend the goal well. Casa Pia is a different team, but they will demand our best version”, he stated at the press conference ahead of Saturday’s game at Ribatejo.
With seven points won in the I League, all away from home, the result of two triumphs in Estoril and Amadora and a draw in Guimarães, Casa Pia’s record leaves the Ribatejanos on notice.
“Casa Pia has grown a lot, so there is merit on the part of the technical team. We have maximum respect for the opponent, but not for winning more games away or at home. We are always on high alert. We want to be competitive to discuss the game and win the three points”, said the Alverca coach.
Satisfied with the defensive consistency shown in recent matches, Sérgio Ferreira recognizes that the team will have to improve their finishing, as they have not scored goals in three games, one for the Portuguese Cup and two for the championship.
“We are managing to reach the final third and create situations. We are thinking about why we are not scoring, but the team maintains the belief that they can score goals in any game”, he stressed.
Alverca, ranked 10th in the I League, with 11 points, will face Casa Pia, 17th, with seven, on Saturday, at 6pm, at the Complexo Desportivo do Futebol Clube de Alverca, refereed by Sérgio Guelho, from the Guarda association.
