Ex-Napoli and Sporting player says he'll be cheering for the Lions' win | OneFootball

Former Napoli and Sporting footballer believes Antonio Conte's team is the favorite, but he will be rooting for the Lions to win

André Cruz, former player for Sporting and Napoli, says he will be cheering for the Lions in the second round of the Champions League. Even so, the ex-defender of the green and white club considers Antonio Conte’s team – who criticized a player from the squad – to be the favorite for the match.

“It will be a very difficult game for both teams – and both teams are in my heart. Sporting a little more, because there I was able to do everything I wanted – great games, lead, score goals, and win titles. Of course, I would have liked to win a Champions League, to have won more titles in Portugal, but unfortunately that didn’t happen; at Napoli, I also feel that I left my mark and whenever there’s a report like – ‘The best defenders in the club’s history’ – they send it to me right away! It’s a sign that I worked hard, that I dedicated myself. My heart will be a little more painted green and white, but only because I was able to achieve everything I set out to do,” he began, in statements to the newspaper Record.

When asked how Rui Borges’ team should approach the game, André Cruz was clear: “Playing at home, Napoli is the favorite. It’s not the same team I knew – which ended up in Serie C, saved by Mr. Aurelio de Laurentiis, who would later bring the club back to Serie A – and to winning titles. They are favorites, but Sporting should by no means fear their opponent, or sit back; they should attack, be aggressive, show grit, and show that they are also a strong team, with players who make a difference.”

“Sporting is consolidating itself – that’s what I thought they should have done right after the 2020/21 title, and they managed it. They are establishing themselves internally as a winning team; now, they need to transfer that to the Champions League. The pressure and responsibility are great, but I believe Sporting can, of course, manage to stay among the great teams of European football,” he added.

“A defender with my technique? There isn’t one [laughs]. I don’t have favorite players, because there isn’t a Ronaldinho, a Phenomenon, a Messi, a Cristiano Ronaldo, a Zidane… Players who truly make a difference, with extraordinary class. Still, when we look at Sporting, we see it’s a team that plays simple but effective football. When you look at what matters, it’s about playing great games and winning. Gyökeres ended up making the difference with his goals... Of course, you need to have those kinds of footballers, but above all, a coach needs to have a group of players who give him guarantees. They will take Sporting to greater heights, no doubt,” André Cruz emphasized.

Finally, the former Lions player left a message directly for the fans: “To my dear Sporting fans, ‘Go Sporting – Always!’ Sporting is in my heart and I can’t wait to return, especially since so much has changed... I want to take my family to get to know a spectacular country – Portugal – so here’s my huge affection for those wonderful fans; and also my affection for the Napoli supporters, who also care about me. I receive many messages from them. It’s been many years since I’ve been there – to Europe in general.”

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