“Dragão in the opening round? We must be ready for the top level” | OneFootball

How do you feel arriving at Alverca? “I want to thank them for this opportunity I’ve been given. It’s an honor to be an active part of the club’s growth and to help it achieve bigger goals.”

What was your first impression of Alverca? “The first was very positive. The people who work here are very passionate about the club and want to help it grow. The main concern is, naturally, working with the players, helping them perform and reach other levels. This squad has enormous potential and, in this first contact, I feel they are all buying in with great ambition. One of the traits of our coaching staff is that we want boldness and high standards, and for the players to understand the logic behind doing things so they can push beyond their limits and transform themselves. We want to take the team to other levels of demand, with a different version from last season, which was fantastic.”

Playing FC Porto and Sporting in the opening rounds? “It’s good; we have to prepare ourselves for the highest level. We’re expecting a challenging season, and all teams have different characteristics. We had to go to the Dragão either in the first or the 15th round, and we look at that first match and the schedule positively.”

Is it special to start against FC Porto? “We have to set ourselves apart in every match, with an identity that will be our strength and our benchmark. We have to be capable of competing against anyone and showing that the players can be better with every game.”

With FC Porto’s U19s, you played in a 4-4-2. Will you continue to rely on that system? “It’s important to understand what already exists and to assess the abilities of the players and the squad we have so we can maximize them collectively. There is no preferred style.”

After starting to coach FC Porto’s U19s two years ago, did you expect to reach the Primeira Liga so quickly? “It was always a goal. I’ve been through highly demanding environments, although my roles did not carry as much responsibility. I have always been very demanding of myself, and I believe we must always demand the best of ourselves. I was preparing myself, but we only truly feel ready when we are put to the test. And I recognize that this decision was an act of courage by Alverca.

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