Fernando Sá: “This derby is great for the city and for basketball” | OneFootball

FC Porto kicked off the championship with a home win over Vasco da Gama, by 95-73.

Following the derby, which he described as "good for the city and for basketball", Fernando Sá emphasized that the rotation of the squad "is fundamental" in matches of this nature and praised "the way the players who were given minutes showed quality".

The coach, pleased with several performances, added: "Given the amount of injuries and setbacks we have been having, it is very important that the players step forward and they did today, with the excellent performances of João Guerreiro, Yago entered very well, Santiago too", also referring to "players who will be very important in the future".

Party approached with seriousness"The serious way we approached the first half, and the second too, nullifying the opponent's strengths in the offensive solutions they had, because we knew what they were looking for, gave us an advantage. It gave us an advantage in offensive transitions, with a faster game, with good shooting solutions, and we dominated on the boards, as expected. Above all, I want to highlight the party we saw here today, in a derby between two teams that hasn't happened for 30 years. It's good for the city and for basketball and for me it's a pride."

Trained at Vasco da Gama"Vasco da Gama's promotion to the Primeira Liga has already resulted in something that was necessary and deserved for many years, which is the carrying out of some works in the venue where they practice. If it's just for that, it was worth it. But I think that Vasco da Gama, with the organization it has, can continue to rise and return to be a symbol of national basketball as it was in the past."

Rotation in the squad"It's fundamental. Not only the rotation, but the way the players who were given minutes showed quality. Given the amount of injuries and setbacks we have been having, it is very important that the players step forward and they did today, with the excellent performances of João Guerreiro, Yago entered very well, Santiago too. These are players who will be very important, not only today, but for the future."

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