Statements by Amarante coach, Álvaro Madureira, and player Ka Semedo, after the 6-0 defeat to Sporting.
Álvaro Madureira
Game analysis: “Total merit and total justice for Sporting's victory. We tried hard but, due to the opponent's merit, we couldn't. We believe it was our incapacity, there is a noticeable difference. We tried, with the weapons we have, to put the strategy into practice, but this Sporting is very strong and variable.
Missed the goal? “A goal here would make things a little different. Even for the people who made the return trip, it was a nice prize. But that's football. There were times in the first phase of construction that we managed to get out, but From the first to the second phase it was complicated.
Support from Amarante fans in Alvalade: “There were almost two thousand, which is fantastic. They were incredible, they made themselves heard, I believe they are the envy of many Primeira Liga clubs that don't have that kind of fans. They were with us, so I leave a word of appreciation to them, let them do a safe journey.”
Focus on League 3: “It's our main focus. We wanted to achieve a different result, but it's to return to the championship, give a positive response and appeal to these fans to make themselves felt in Amarante [próximo jogo é em casa diante do São João de Ver].”
PHOTOS: The best images of Sporting-Amarante
Look at Semedo
Was it difficult to play against Sporting? “Of course, everyone knows that Sporting is a strong team in transition, we tried to stop, but we couldn't. I'm proud of the team, but now it's time to focus on our championship again.”
What do you take away from this game? “A very big pride, we tried to help each other, but it wasn't possible. Now it's time to work to win again in the championship. I took things from these players, now it's about trying to get the most out of them and apply them in training and in the game.”
Personal ambitions: “I want to score goals every game. It's not easy, but I'll try. We still have a lot of games until the end of the season and I want to help the team achieve its goals.”
Sporting qualified today for the round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup in football, by beating Amarante 6-0 at home, in a game that marked João Pereira's debut as coach of the team.
At the José Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, against the second placed team in Serie A of League 3, Sporting reached half-time leading 4-0, with a 'double' from Edwards, who scored in the 10th and 45th minutes, and goals from Esgaio (15) and Harder (28).
The leader of the I League, who on Tuesday hosts Arsenal in the Champions League, increased the result in the second half with goals from Trincão, at 57, and Gyökeres, at 90, in a penalty conversion.
In the round of 16, the 'lions, defeated finalists in the last edition of the Portuguese Cup, will face, at home, the winner of the meeting between Famalicão and Santa Clara, two teams that compete in the I League.
