Sporting starter praises his teammates: This team is like a family | OneFootball

With the 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the eighth and final round of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, Sporting secured direct qualification for the round of 16 of the prestigious competition, and Ivan Fresneda highlighted the solidarity that exists in the green and white dressing room.

"It's a family, we all fight together until the end and in the last few games we've really been happy at the end. But the big secret is the quality we have. We had a good first phase in the Champions League, now it's time to focus on what's next," he emphasized in an interview with Sport TV.

The left-back admitted that direct qualification for the round of 16 was a goal, especially since it means two fewer games on the calendar: "We can rest more, focus on the Cup and the League, and then return to the fight in the Champions League. It's an incredible source of pride for the club, for the team, for me. Now it's about fighting, no matter who the opponent is, and trying to take Sporting as far as possible."

"We knew how hard it would be to win in this stadium, and in fact, it was the first time I won here! I'm very happy for this two-in-one, but above all for the team and the staff, who worked so hard in this first phase of the Champions League. Now it's time to wait for the next match," he said happily, referring to the fact that Sporting won in Spain and he himself at San Mamés.

This season, wearing the Sporting shirt, Iván Fresneda – valued at 12 million euros – has played 27 matches. The Spanish defender has accumulated 1,930 minutes and, so far, has recorded one goal (against Estrela da Amadora) and two assists to his name.

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