Vitinha praises Sporting duo, but sends warning to Rui Borges | OneFootball

Vitinha, former Marseille player, foresees difficulties for Sporting but praises Fotis Ioannidis and Luis Suárez

Vitinha predicts difficulties for Sporting in the match against Marseille. The Genoa forward, who played at the Vélodrome, however, highlights the great quality of Luis Suárez and Fotis Ioannidis, the strikers for the green and whites.

“We can expect a very solid Marseille, composed of great players, with a lot of quality. Essentially, a bit like we've seen in recent games. A competitive team, with players who can make a difference at any moment,” he began by saying, in statements to the newspaper O Jogo.

Next, the Portuguese footballer addressed the main differences in Marseille since the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi: “I think they now have more stability, more than during the period I was there. A stability that is necessary for things to go well on the field. I think the coach [De Zerbi] brought that stability, that confidence, that desire to win, that competitiveness that the team shows on the field.”

With particular emphasis on Mason Greenwood, Vitinha preferred to focus on the collective: “I could talk about one or another player, but I think what stands out at this moment is the collective quality. It is the most concerning for Sporting. Even Marseille's usual substitutes are players with a lot of quality. Even if the coach makes changes, the team remains competitive. If things don't work as a team, individually the player can do little.”

In turn, regarding Sporting, the player noted that one of the main weapons could be the forwards, Luis Suárez and Fotis Ioannidis - about whose starting position there are still doubts: “They are two great forwards, two players with a lot of potential. Players who make a difference, score goals, are top-notch. Without a doubt, Sporting is very well served with two great forwards.”

“Sporting has to demonstrate on the field that it has the conditions to advance in the competition. I wish good luck to both teams, to Marseille mainly because it is my former team. To Sporting because it is a Portuguese club and I wish all the best to Portuguese clubs,” he added.

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