THE Coach João Nuno, making his European debut for Torreense, was today confident that the club will continue to present a good image when hosting Ararat-Armenia, in the fourth round of the league phase of the Europa League.
“More than the results, Torreense has represented our football very well and we want to continue to give this image and be extremely competitive. In the Europa League, initial expectations would be low and what Torreense has done, and it has to do with the previous coach, players and the entire structure of the club, is to represent Portuguese football very well”, highlighted the coach.
In a press conference previewing the meeting with Ararat-Armenia, coached by Manuel Tulipa, Luís Tralhão’s successor highlighted that the desire involves a Torreense team that is “competitive in the remaining five games” in the competition and “fighting in every game and against any opponent”.
Anticipated as one of the games in which the Oeste team will be most likely to score in the competition, the 41-year-old coach rules out a scenario of relaxation or pressure.
“If we went to the betting exchange, we wouldn’t have any points and we would possibly end up with zero. What the games have shown has been different from that. We won’t make that mistake. Every Europa League game is seen as an opportunity. We got to where we are on our own merit”, he explained.
Despite wanting to maintain the focus on the “good” that has been done at Torreense, João Nuno admitted that he also wants to implement some of his ideas, anticipating a special day for making his debut as a coach in European competitions.
After thanking Luís Tralhão for the period spent so far at the helm of the ‘marine blue’, and stressing that a new stage is now starting, Javi Vázquez also showed confidence in the team’s success.
“From the first moment we have confidence in ourselves. In a competition that gives us the opportunity to prove ourselves at European level, every time we enter the field the mentality is to win. I believe that has been the case in this competition. Tomorrow will be no different”, assured Javi Vázquez.
Assuming that “all Europa League games are of a very high level” and that “all aspects of the game will be important”, the Spanish defender was adamant: “We want to play a complete game, be an aggressive team and get the three points”.
Torreense, 28th in the league phase, with three points, and Ararat-Armenia, 36th and last, with no points, will play on Thursday, starting at 8pm, at the Estádio Municipal Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, in Leiria, under the refereeing of Serbian Milos Milanovic.
