Estrela da Amadora, 15th placed, with nine points, visits Farense, 18th and last, with five, on Friday at 20:15, in the opening match of the 12th round.
Estrela da Amadora’s coach, José Faria, guaranteed today that the defeat suffered at home by Benfica (7-0) has now been overcome and that he took positive things from the elimination of the Portuguese Football Cup.
In a press conference, on the eve of the visit to Farense, for the 12th round of the I Liga, José Faria said that this “was a normal, peaceful week, like the others” and that the defeat suffered in Luz, on Saturday, “will not affect ” at Friday’s meeting.
“Until the 60th minute we shared the game with Benfica. It could be 2-0, 2-1, 3-1. Benfica is different from what it was, now it is one of the five teams in Europe to create the most dangerous moments. We ended up conceding three goals that were not included. It was very bad, but dissecting all this information we have to see that there were positive things, which is our biggest objective”, he assumed.
Still on the Luz game, José Faria recalled the praise given to goalkeeper Samuel Soares, a regular reserve, and considered that until the 60th minute, when Benfica made it 4-0, the two teams had identical scoring opportunities, but that, after From that moment on, he preferred to spare defender Ferro and “throw in some kids”.
“Let’s not escape the issue that it was a result we didn’t expect. But there were also positive things. It was a normal week of work. We are prepared for tomorrow’s game [Friday]. This defeat won’t affect it”, said the coach , who said he was sure that his team would “give a great response” in Faro.
Regarding the meeting with Farense, José Faria expects “a very difficult game” and recalled “a historic but healthy rivalry”, between two historical figures in Portuguese football, who returned to a level from which they should never have left.
“Players with great quality on both sides, a house with a spectacular atmosphere, like São Luís. That alone brings spice. They changed coaches, Tozé [Marreco] brought new energy, brought stability and a different way of playing, and The results have helped. It’s a team with potential, in a place that doesn’t represent that quality.
Despite two teams that are in the dangerous places of the I League facing each other, José Faria believes that this game “is not decisive” in the fight for maintenance.
“We know that we are a direct opponent, we know that there are three points that could be four or one that leaves everything the same. The week went by naturally, we had to ‘lick our wounds’. […] We are more united than ever , we fell into this situation together, we will get out of it together.
Still without being able to count on Nani, after the death of his father, Estrela da Amadora will try to win for the first time as a visitor, with the ‘tricolores’ having only one draw away from the José Gomes Stadium, in the first round, against Sporting de Braga.
“I don’t see any particular reason. There is a preponderant home factor in most teams. We really enjoy playing here at José Gomes. We approach every game looking at two results, firstly a victory and then if a draw is not possible, either in Faro, Luz or Dragão”, he assured.
Striker Rodrigo Pinho also assured that the game against Benfica “is behind us” and that the team “will give a good response”, showing himself happy to be injury-free and returning to his best form, even after having changed some habits, whether eating, at the gym or with family.
Estrela da Amadora, 15th place, with nine points, visits Farense, 18th and last, with five, on Friday, at 8:15 pm, in the opening match of the 12th round.
