The coach previews the game against CD Santa Clara

Sporting Clube de Portugal host CD Santa Clara on Matchday 12 of the Liga Portugal season this Saturday, and coach João Pereira talked in the pre-match press conference prior to the fixture.

He began by revealing Zeno Debast will be available, then addressed the opponents.

"CD Santa Clara are the breakout team in the league. They are very organised defensively, strong in offensive transitions and solid tactically. We have tried to prepare the players in the best possible way to achieve victory", he stated.

"I am carrying out my work with the technical committee, and we try to do everything we can to win. Coaches are always judged by results. If we win tomorrow, things will go better, but I'm calm", he commented.

Speaking about tactical options and the similarities between the system he likes most and the one Rúben Amorim used, Pereira explained that "It's a system that I adopt out of conviction. Anyone who had the opportunity to follow the Under-23s and the B team knew that it was the formation we used, but with different behaviours. There are many identical and similar principles. The players understand. What happened against Arsenal was a defeat, but in the second half, until the penalty, we were always closer to making it 2-3 than it becoming 1-4, because we had opportunities to do so. The story would have been different then", he recalled.

Regarding the left of the attack, occupied by Marcus Edwards against Arsenal, the coach admitted that "there are several players in the squad who can play in that position", but emphasised his confidence in the Englishman.

"Conrad Harder has already played there, Maxi Araújo too, João Simões and Daniel Bragança can also play there. I pick my side based on the characteristics of the game. I felt that Edwards was the best option against Arsenal and I still trust in him".

Finally, after confirming that João Simões will again be present in the squad, Pereira spoke of his approach to games.

"The first big test was against Amarante FC, which was the first game for this technical committee. Against Arsenal it was another big game, and now with CD Santa Clara it will be the same. Then it will be with Moreirense FC too. The big game is always the next one. That's how we have to think".