Afonso Pinto Coelho on Sporting v Porto 'war': surreal episodes | OneFootball

Afonso Pinto Coelho, known supporter of the lions and member of the Movement Today and Always Sporting, reacted, in statements in an Exclusive Leonino, to the recent words of Frederico Varandas about Porto and André Villas-Boas, discussed the electoral scenario at Alvalade and considered the team's sporting moment, highlighting the difficulties the lions are encountering in the race for the championship three-peat.

Regarding the words of the Sporting president about Porto and its leader, Afonso Pinto Coelho believes the context justifies firmness: “Any President of Sporting has the obligation to defend the Club's interests at all times and, especially, during election periods, direct adversaries often provoke, which requires more 'muscular' responses,” he stated.

As for the upcoming elections at the Club, the shareholder of the green and white SAD confirmed a position of neutrality. “I am part of the Movement Today and Always Sporting, which issued a statement last week, also signed by me, and widely disseminated in various Media Outlets, including Leonino, in which we officially expressed a position of neutrality regarding the next electoral act,” he explained.

In the sporting arena, Afonso Pinto Coelho foresees difficulties in the trip to Moreira de Cónegos, for the 23rd round of the League: “Surely it's a complicated game, in a traditionally difficult stadium, against one of the good teams in the Primeira Liga,” he acknowledged. Nevertheless, he shows confidence in the team's response: “I clearly believe that the Sporting team will overcome this challenge with the help of the lion supporters who will travel to Moreira de Cónegos, and bring the three points 'in the bag' to Lisbon.”

The Sporting supporter does not ignore, however, the internal obstacles, namely the injuries that have affected the squad: “This year, once again, numerous injuries have occurred, which implies some absences, lack of rhythm for some players, and too many games for others, leading to a drop in form, but even so, we certainly have that capability,” he added.

Regarding the title race, Afonso Pinto Coelho believes that the draw at Estádio do Dragão keeps Sporting in the fight for the National Championship. “Everything is open regarding the conquest of the championship three-peat, especially since there are still many games until the end of the League, some of them with a high degree of difficulty,” he emphasized.

Although he acknowledges that Sporting is, at this stage, “dependent on others,” the well-known supporter of the lions believes the goal is achievable. “Given how the Sporting team has played and the resilient way it has approached the games, the championship three-peat is perfectly within reach, although we know that at this moment we are dependent on others and the various pressures we are always subjected to, with surreal episodes,” he concluded.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.