“SThere are two teams from the islands. Marítimo, at home, has a strong tradition, with an audience that always leaves the stadium practically full. A team that has had many players from last season and a new coach”, said Petit, in the press room at the São Miguel stadium, in Ponta Delgada, in preview of the 10th round game.
The coach acknowledged that Marítimo is coming from “less good results”, after defeats against Sporting in the League Cup (2-1) and Vitória de Guimarães in the championship (5-0), but admitted “doubts” about the Madeiran team’s tactical system, which can either be 4-2-3-1 or 3-2-2-3.
“We are focused on what will be a demanding game and which will force us to be at a very high level of concentration and alertness”, he stressed.
Santa Clara, which is being the ‘sensation’ team of the championship, recorded its first defeats of the season in the last two games, with defeats against Mafra in the Portuguese Cup (3-2, after extra time) and against Benfica in the last round (2-1).
“We were frustrated at the end (of the game with Benfica) because we felt we played a good game against a title candidate, where we could have had another result. It didn’t happen. We came from a defeat in the championship and being eliminated from the Cup, but this team has to know how to react and is on the right track”, he reinforced.
Petit confirmed that Luís Fernando is called up for the game against Marítimo (despite being sent off after the final whistle of the game against Benfica, marked by disagreements between the teams), as is Gonçalo Paciência, who has already recovered from injury.
Santa Clara, ranked fourth with 18 points, will face Marítimo, 14th with eight, next Sunday, at 6pm, at Estádio do Marítimo, in Funchal, refereed by Carlos Macedo (Associação de Braga).
