Gil Vicente’s coach wished this Monday that his team “enjoy the historic moment” in the match against Riga, on the third qualifying day of the Europa Conference League, which will mark the club’s debut in European competitions.
It will be a historic moment for the club and I am happy, as a coach, to be able to enjoy it with all the gilistas. The team and the players are the real workers and the main objective is to get through the tie and respond in terms of commitment and attitude”, said Ivo Vieira, in the preview of Wednesday’s match in Latvia.
Ivo Vieira awaits a “difficult and competitive” rivalwith experience in European competitions and with 22 games already played in their league this season, devaluing that it is a club from a country with less football tradition.
Nordic referees referee matches between Gil Vicente and Vitória de Guimarães in the Europa Conference League
Riga is a competitive team that has contracted three or four units to specifically face these challenges. Sometimes we make the mistake of devaluing leagues with less name, but also quality. The tie is within our reach, but only if we do everything to achieve it”, shared the coach of the Minho shield, at a press conference.
Despite this being the Gil Vicente’s debut in UEFA competitionsIvo Vieira already has some European experience, when he commanded Vitória de Guimarães, but the coach does not see that as a decisive advantage.
It won’t make much of a difference, although I can use my knowledge to guide and make my athletes believe in themselves. I will work focused on my goals, which aim to value the athletes and strengthen the position of the club in the League”, said the coach.
Acknowledging that it is “ungrateful” for the team to have to play these qualifiers so early in the season, being Gil Vicente’s first official game this season, the ‘Gallos’ coach is confident in the quality of the group to draw these difficulties.
If we are competitive and believe in ourselves, we put all that aside and we can be successful. We are in an initial process but we will compete in this race on merit”, concluded Ivo Vieira.
For this challenge, Gil Vicente’s coach cannot count on goalkeeper Frelih and striker Murilo Sousa, who are still recovering from injury. All other players, including the most recent reinforcements, can contribute to the team.
The gilista entourage leaves on Tuesday morning for the Latvian capital, where the next day they will face Riga, in a match scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (Lisbon time) and which will be refereed by the Norwegian Jakob Kehlet.
Source: Observadora
