Luis Tralhao, coach of Torreense, admitted that he did not expect to have the dream season he is having.
Luís Tralhão, Torreense’s coach, in statements at the press conference after the victory against Sporting (2-1), in the final of the Portuguese Cup . The coach analyzed the key to the victory, confessed about a promise made, didn’t want to think about the Europa League yet and changed his focus to the game against Casa Pia, which could guarantee promotion to the Liga.
Resilience as the key
Our greatest strength was our ability to realize that we could win the game. I think we always believed in that. The word resilience is one of our main characteristics; I think you understand well what we represent.
The promise made weeks ago…
What I said jokingly was, since I live nearby, if we won I’d walk home. I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep that promise, I don’t think they’ll let me. We’re going to Torres and I’m expecting a lot of people. Obviously, it’s a very important moment and there’s no escaping it. But I, as a professional and as a coach, am already thinking a little about what will happen on Thursday.
Focus also on the game against Casa Pia.
They really wanted to get to this game. As for focusing on Thursday, they are very aware of their responsibility. Many of them hugged me and said, ‘We have more on Thursday.’ When they didn’t, I told them. We have to recover physically, there’s no doubt about that. I also hope that the emotional factor we had today will propel us forward on Thursday.
To whom is the title dedicated?
“It wouldn’t be easy in another group to have this kind of success that we’ve had if it weren’t for the human capital we have there. They are primarily responsible for us being here today. I want to dedicate this to all the staff who work with us, and very personally to my entire family. I am the person I am today, I dedicate everything to my parents; they are very humble people, but they have all the right principles.
Start early to win.
I think the impact of the early goal was very good. I can’t deny that starting the game practically winning gives you some peace of mind. Now, I don’t want to sound presumptuous, but I believe that winning so early also took away some of our ability to control possession, because our team has that ability. Teams like ours that find themselves winning on a stage like this, with a full stadium, end up focusing more on the result than on the process itself. And that’s a good thing.
Torreense in the Europa League
At the moment, I haven’t thought much about it. My focus was on today’s game and then the next one. Making predictions about what might happen only distracts me. The bureaucratic issue is resolved, at least that’s what I was told some time ago. We’ll think about it in due time.
Did you expect this level of success when you took over the team?
No, obviously I wasn’t expecting it. A few months ago I was in the Revelation League. But I knew, when they invited me to the first team, the potential the team had. We all knew this group had something special.