“Portugal Cup? We really want to repeat the party of 2013″
An unavoidable face of the new Vitória de Guimarães, Dani Silva is not satisfied with having reached the top at the club. The midfielder wants to assert himself and bet on a full season, lifting a trophy.
Dani Silva’s 2022 balance sheet has no period. The midfielder looks with pride at the year that is coming to an end and promises more, aware that rising to the main team of V. Guimarães implies greater responsibilities and total dedication to a special club, with strong passions.
Was the year 2022 full or was there something left to achieve?
-It was a very good year, I just won’t say perfect because there’s still a lot to achieve. I evolved a lot as a person and a player and I don’t forget the people who are attached to that. A year ago I would not have imagined that I could achieve so much in such a short time. It is a sign that work pays off.
He has been at Vitória for five seasons. Do you already feel more Minho than Alentejo (you’re from Beja)?
-No doubt. I feel more and more minhoto. I don’t forget my roots, I’m from Alentejo, but five years is not five days. When I retire from football, I even intend to continue living in Guimarães. The city is very calm and very beautiful. And she’s in love with Vitória, just like me.
What do you plan to conquer now for Vitória de Guimarães?
-I work every day to assert myself in the first team. Collectively, just think about playing to win every game, fearing no one. Moreno Teixeira instils this motherhood in the group and I see myself in it. I think they felt that the team plays in the image of the club and the city. This is the key to the success of this era.
Was the break in the championship, despite the League Cup, obedient or did it take some rhythm away from the team?
-Apart from the fact that we did not get access to the final four of the League Cup, a competition that we value a lot and in which we expected to get as far as possible, the team went through a learning phase and the boys from the B team also had space to show themselves. I think the team even won, without losing pace.
Vitória shares fifth place with Casa Pia and is just two points behind fourth (Sporting) and fifth behind third (Braga). Do you feel capable of reaching the podium or will you try to hold on between fourth and fifth?
-We will always continue to play to win, regardless of names, emblems and faces. The next game will be against Vizela and the logic is the same as always. The accounts are done at the end. If we win all the remaining matches, we will be ranked very high.
In January there is a second derby at Pedreira, for the Portuguese Cup. Will it serve to win the defeat in the championship?
-Derbis are always about winning. It will be a knockout round, and Vitória highly values the Portuguese Cup. We really want to repeat the 2013 party. I watched some videos and it was amazing. The team is strongly committed to offer sponsors this achievement again. We’re looking forward to that big game in Braga, but first we’ll have to think about the trip to Vizela.
Is everything happening quickly?
-No, I feel that this gradual affirmation of mine is deserved. I arrived at Vitória five years ago and I didn’t miss a step. Things evolved, giving time to time. I played for the under-19s, under-23s, for the B team, doing my best. I worked a lot and away from the family, missing them a lot. I always dreamed of reaching the first team and from now on it will always go up, without ever ceasing to be Dani Silva.