Alverca’s coach expressed great satisfaction and sees the team from Ribatejo improving for the second half of the championship.
Custódio, Alverca’s coach, in statements at the press conference after the 2-1 victory against Moreirense, in a match counting towards the 18th round.
Duty fulfilled
“Naturally, it’s a feeling of duty fulfilled. We had proposed, in front of our fans, to win these three points, three important points within our main objective and our journey. We knew it was going to be difficult. Moreirense is a very good team; they’re not in sixth place by chance. There’s also great work being done by Vasco [Botelho da Costa], who has already done great work, including here at Alverca. It was Vasco who achieved promotion to the First League. Therefore, we knew it was going to be a difficult game, and I think we were competent. Very competent in understanding the game defensively. It’s very difficult to pressure this Moreirense team, because of the quality of their players, the central defenders, the full=backs, and the forwards, and the way they manage to accelerate the game when the ball gets in, whether between the lines or from the outside. We knew it was going to be difficult, and I think we were very competent. But, above all, we were very competent with the ball.” In terms of offensive organization, we knew the right times, both inside and outside, how to enter and how to attack the finishing zones. We had that ability, creating several goal opportunities. So, yes, it was a job well done and three important points in our journey.
Important premieres
Regarding Touaizi’s and Vasco Moreira’s debuts scoring It’s important that we have more options. It’s also important to have this diversity of players scoring goals. It’s important to have the personality to take on the challenge, to have confidence and shoot without any fear. Because anyone can fail, and I lacked that confidence. So, yes, it’s all very important that we have this mentality.
Figueiredo or Nuozzi
If it were only for that reason, to be more direct and vertical, I think both have that ability, both Cédric (Nuozzi )and Figueiredo. It’s a bit about strategic choices, but also my perception of their performance over the days and games, and also the moment Figueiredo was going through. We can’t forget that Figueiredo arrived, then had that injury against Tondela and later a flu problem. Some of these setbacks delayed his consistency a little. But he’s a good player and I think he’s going through a good moment now.
The team is improving in the second half of the season.
I feel it was a good performance. I don’t know if it was the best or not, I don’t know if it was, at times, the best, or if it was, in terms of duration, the best. But yes, I feel the team is growing. Perhaps I feel this more naturally because I work with them every day. But the fact that you ask me that question is a sign that you also feel it, and that’s good, because that’s one of our main objectives for the second half of the season: for the team to grow, for the players to grow, and for them to be able to perform well. We need that consistency to fight for our main objective.