“VIt’s going to be a difficult game, for sure. Knowing that Nacional has changed coach, someone very experienced and who knows the I League well, we don’t know exactly what they will do strategically”, said the coach, in preview of Sunday’s meeting.
Vítor Severino considered that preparation for the challenge requires particular attention to possible changes in the opponent’s behavior, trying to prevent the team from being surprised.
“The first lack of humility that can exist is thinking that we know how the opponent will play. We have an identity and, on top of that, we place constraints, trying to bring different behaviors from opponents to training, because my main objective is that the team never feels caught by surprise”, he highlighted.
The ‘wolves’ coach therefore argued that the team should prioritize its own identity, trying to adapt to the problems posed by the opponent.
“Playing well in an identity increases the probability of winning”, he reinforced, promising a team focused on the task and determined to achieve victory.
Regarding the renewal of Tiago Esgaio, announced today, Severino expressed his satisfaction with the full-back’s continuity for another two seasons, with a third as an option, considering him an example of the culture of professionalism and functionality built at the club.
“He’s a great professional, a great player and a great captain”, he praised.
Asked about Rukavina’s expulsion against Alverca, Severino preferred not to fuel controversy surrounding refereeing, in a Portuguese football that he considers “tripolarized”, simply guaranteeing that Arouca has people looking out for the club’s interests.
“I promise that we will try to play a good game and try to win”, concluded the coach.
Puche, still recovering from injury, joins the suspended Rukavina on the absentee list.
Arouca, ranked fifth, with the same 17 points as Académico de Viseu, faces Nacional, 15th, with seven, at 3:30 pm on Sunday, at the Estádio Municipal de Arouca, in a game that will be refereed by Luís Godinho, from the Évora association.
