Coach happy with Farense’s first victory in the championship. Response to the Estoril coach, who criticized the tactics given to the team near the end of the game. He considers Ricardo Velho to be the best Portuguese goalkeeper.
Tozé Marreco, Farense’s coach, was happy with Farense’s first victory in the League. The coach also explained the tactical change he made towards the end – with criticism from Ian Cathro, Estoril coach – and which resulted in the goal obtained.
«The victory had a very special flavor, given everything that Farense’s season has been like, the way it was, with the constraints we have. It’s a hard-fought but fair victory for a team that knew what it had to do. (Ricardo) Velho was decisive, as always, in a defense he had a goal intervention. Furthermore, we had two balls hit the post and a victory, above all, deserved for the boys who have been tireless in their work. It was important to take steps: break the series of defeats, not concede goals and then win. I say again, we have seven players injured and, therefore, the constraints are great. The response that the team gave was that of brave men and that belief, necessary in adversity, is what remains of this game”, he began by referring to the analysis of the game, in the São Luís press room.
«I’m very happy for them, but there’s bad news that I gave them at the end of the game: there’s a lot to do. Today, they really deserve to celebrate, with their families and friends, and then start preparing for the Portuguese Cup game and recovering the injured players. I ended up being expelled because I went to party with my son, who was on that side. These are remarkable moments, but I want to repeat them. I want to repeat the victories at home and this environment. It’s important that people are patient, understand the involvement and that we have a lot of championship ahead of us. If I felt that the players didn’t want to, didn’t walk, didn’t train, didn’t fight, I would be the first to speak up. But I don’t believe that will happen with this group of men”, he said.
Regarding the criticisms pointed out by Ian Cathro, Estoril’s coach, he said: «When I put Raúl Silva up front and we prepared that ‘3-4-3’, maybe I thought I was crazy, but things ended up going well. Ian Cathro? Maybe you should be more concerned with what happens on the field, I have nothing to comment. We won, we won well, just turn the page and move on.”
Estoril coach refers to a moment before Raul Silva’s goal. He sees his team’s missed penalty as a memorable moment.
The coach also commented on Ricardo Velho’s call-up to the national team, considering him the best Portuguese goalkeeper. “It’s absolutely fair. With all the respect I have for Diogo Costa, for me, he is the best goalkeeper in Portugal. And you will prove it. When I arrived, I told him that he will have fewer saves to make, but he will be equally decisive. (Ricardo) Velho’s career is one of dedication and work. It was never a huge promise, it was at the cost of his work and dedication. I know he will make other flights, well deserved, but this season we need him absolutely focused and exemplary at work, as he has been. In the national team, he has everything to match Diogo (Costa) in the selector’s choices», he believes.
