Hear what Pedro Emanuel said after Vasco reached Copa Sul-Americana | OneFootball

Vasco's qualification for the Copa Sudamericana semifinal is already in the past. After the 2-0 win over Santa Fe of Colombia, coach Pedro Emanuel highlighted the growing connection between the squad and the fans.

The Portuguese manager acknowledged the toll caused by the match, not only physically. In his view, the weight of an international knockout match also demanded concentration from the players, especially given the significance of the qualification achieved by the club.

“Today I’m a little tired. This demands a lot from us as well, not only physically but mentally. The importance of an achievement of this magnitude, reaching the semifinal of an international cup after 15 years,” he said during a press conference, before continuing:

“It is always an enormous source of pride and satisfaction. More than that, it is the feeling I have about the relationship that is growing stronger every day between the team and our fans, the spirit we have on the pitch, the way we finish matches,” he explained.

Coach praises squad’s attitude

Pedro Emanuel also emphasized the collective response shown during the run of matches. According to the coach, the schedule leaves little room for specific training sessions and forces the staff to prepare the team according to the needs of each match.

“Having our fans once again chanting the names of some of the players, that has to be a source of great satisfaction. These guys work very hard. We haven’t had much time to plan any other kind of strategy, only match by match,” he said before concluding:

“They have been supportive of one another with the changes we make to the team. Above all, they are dedicated to their tasks. That is the satisfaction I feel. Naturally, with us being as strong as we are, and at São Januário with our fans, it is difficult for anyone to come here and get through.”

The Giant of the Hill reached the next round after a goalless draw in Bogotá, Colombia, and a 2-0 win at São Januário. Bruno Duarte scored in the first half, while David Correa sealed qualification in the second half.

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