Arouca’s coach discusses the team’s difficulties in the first half and the changes made in the second half, which were essential to securing the three points against V. Guimarães.
An initial analysis of the match, focusing on the tactical aspect.
I think it was an excellent game. I believe that, in the first half, Vitória was strong in their pressing, that’s a fact, but also benefited from the very strong wind in the first half hour, essentially. In other words, it was difficult for us to build attacks because Vitória was applying very strong pressure, and the advantages we were gaining had to be advantages we created, mainly down our left flank. Our team showed great clarity throughout the game, and in the play where we were fortunate with Trezza’s goal, but the advantages we were exploiting were precisely those: drawing Vitória’s pressure high up the pitch, opening up space behind them so we could exploit it.
Vasco Seabra, Arouca’s coach, in statements at the press conference after the 3-2 victory over V. Guimarães, in the 21st round of the League:
An initial analysis of the match, focusing on the tactical aspect.
“I think it was an excellent game. I believe that, in the first half, Vitória was strong in their pressing, that’s a fact, but also benefited from the very strong wind in the first half hour, essentially. In other words, it was difficult for us to build attacks because Vitória was applying very strong pressure, and the advantages we were gaining had to be advantages we created, mainly down our left flank. Our team showed great clarity throughout the game, and in the play where we were fortunate with Trezza’s goal, but the advantages we were exploiting were precisely those: drawing Vitória’s pressure high up the pitch, opening up space behind them so we could exploit it.
What I said at halftime was to show them what they’re really worth. Our team has a great passion for the game, for the way they train, for their ambition. We have many people who want to win in life. They train every day with great passion. And we were losing on little things, sometimes, a little duel here, a little duel there, Vitória getting the ball in a minor contact. In the second half, Vitória didn’t press as much with the wingers, which also allowed us to have a more elaborate second phase of build-up, which for our technical players also ends up bringing them more into the game. And I think it was a fair victory against a good opponent, but where we showed that we are in a good, strong growth process.
Arouca’s form in recent league games.
We went through a difficult, tough phase, where it seemed like things weren’t going our way, but the team always kept working with a strong sense of purpose, conviction, and belief. Sometimes it’s easier to give up, but the team never gave up; on the contrary, they always remained very connected to our information and our commitment to them. This has to give us the understanding that, in the next game, these 14 points we’ve earned in 8 rounds mean nothing when the game starts. That has to be our team’s mentality every day. During our fragile period, we never gave up, and now, because things are going our way, things are going well.