Excitement Builds as Vitória SC Prepares to Face Betis
As the clock ticks down to Thursday's clash, the atmosphere in the Vitória SC dressing room is described as "good" by head coach Luís Freire. He’s optimistic about leveraging a special advantage against Real Betis to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Conference League.
The mighty roar of Estádio D. Afonso Henriques is expected to resonate as Vitória SC steps into the second leg of the round of 16, with every chance to progress in this prestigious tournament. Freire is adamant that the unwavering support from the fans will provide a crucial boost for his players. At the pre-match press conference, he called for unity and an all-out effort from the squad, promising a competitive and attacking mindset aimed straight at the opposition's goal.
Betis might have reason to be cautious, but Freire maintains, “We aren’t concerned with how our rivals viewed the first leg. We’ve brought them back to level terms, not in front. The game starts anew. It’s crucial we perform at our best, exploiting the opposing team’s weaknesses.” He acknowledged the calibre of players Betis boasts, emphasising they are still in the race for the Conference League title. “Whether they’re sharper or not is out of our hands, but I have complete faith we’ll deliver a stellar performance,” Freire added.
The mood in the dressing room? “It’s excellent. We’re driven by our ambitions in both league and cup. Confidence, conviction, unity, and energy are in abundance as we chase what we desire. The task ahead is monumental, but the opportunity is significant. We’re poised to make history after a commendable journey thus far,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his past at Rio Ave, Freire was clear, "Today isn’t about looking backwards. The priority is on the future. I’m energised and happy; it’s the progress we make going forward that counts." Meanwhile, star forward Nílson Oliveira echoed Freire’s sentiments, underlining the desire to create further history in the tournament.
With the added motivation of playing at home, Oliveira expressed, “The atmosphere is bound to be electric, and we’re counting on the fans to be our twelfth man.” As the players geared up for the monumental showdown, the message was unified: it’s all about triumph and the pursuit of greatness for Vitória SC.
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