Pako Ayestarán and the Portuguese Cup: «At this stage there are no favorites» – Tondela
Coach Pako Ayestarán assumes the historic weight that the semi-final of the Portuguese Cup against Mafra also represents for Tondela, only dispelling any idea of favoritism of the beirões, as it is defined that elimination will hardly be defined in the first leg. . “At this stage there are no favorites. If Mafra is because it is likely that they will eliminate Moreirense and Portimonense we have to have the humility to recognize that one, as well as to have the responsibility that this game implies, because, at this point, the most important thing is the result is problematic for there to be a delay in reaching the final”, commented the Spanish coach, convinced of the balance point that will mark an elimination: “Regardless of what will happen, if not a catastrophe for any team, I don’t think if anything is going to be resolved here”. A horizon of hope that Pakoestar guarantees is not creating an increased pressure due to the scalable difference between the two, as well as the priority of the Beiras in safeguarding a permanence.
“I worked with a coach who told me that destiny is to be prepared for everything, from what the course will say or what we can do. We can have an idea of the defined dynamics, but only the game will tell if we are prepared for it. The truth is that we cannot be worried, nor can we fall into the mistake of unraveling the game in the first 15 minutes”, justified the official, acknowledging, without revealing, that “there will be changes in the team”.
Regarding the competitive context of the Portuguese Cup, namely the fact that away goals are still a key strategic weight in qualifying, Pako Ayestarán stated that “the players are used to this scenario”: “It doesn’t change anything because, contrary to what takes place in Europe, a model of purification in this continuation test.