Setubal Coach Vidigal Worries About Goal Drought, Explains Agu’s Substitution Vs Aves

Mikel Agu’s coach at Vitoria Setubal, Lito Vidigal has expressed his worry at his side’s lack of precision in front of goal after the Green and Whites went down 2-1 at Aves in a Primeiro Liga match on Sunday to stretch their winless run to nine games in all competitions.

Reacting to the loss at Aves, Vidigal blamed the second half dismissal of Cascardo for a second bookable offence but reckoned that the team’s goals return does not justify the effort of the players.

Setubal have scored just 17 goals in 18 league games, the fourth worst return in the 18-team league which has now seen them drop to 13th in the table after an impressive run of results shot them to sixth at the end of last year.

“With less one (player), it was more difficult as Aves capitalised and then defended their goal. We had several situations in which we could have scored in the end, with the balls in their area, but we did not get any,” Vidigal told Abola.pt

The manager also took time to explain why Nigerian midfielder Mikel Ndubuisi Agu was substituted in the 80th minute of the tension-soaked encounter.

“It was a precaution. Mikel is one of our best performers and I don’t want him to be fatigued. There are more games to play and he’s a player I believe in very much,” he explained.

Also Read: INTERVIEW – Onazi: How My Marriage, Music, Philanthropy Are Inspiring My Career

Mikel has been one of Setubal’s most active players having played a total of 17 games since making his loan debut on September 16 versus CD Nacional in a Cup game.

In 16 games for Setubal since making a transfer deadline day loan move from parent club FC Porto, Mikel Agu had played all 90 minutes until Sunday at Aves where he was substituted with 10 minutes left to play.

Setubal’s next game is at home on January 30 against fourth-placed Sporting CP, but Vidigal reckons his players have their work cut out for the season.

“The team has worked, we have 19 points and the goal is to stay in the league regardless of who we play,” he said.