Mariana Cabral and Derby Sunday: “We have evolved and we are ready” – Women’s Football

Sporting coach reviews the match against Benfica

The coach of the Sporting women’s team said on Friday that she does not expect Benfica to show the accumulated “fatigue” in the derby in the eighth round of the Spanish First Division, and she does not believe in any ease.

In a pre-press conference for the Lisbon derby, which will be held on Sunday, at 2:30 p.m., and which will be the highlight of the eighth round of the women’s national championship, Mariana Cabral confirmed that Benfica, who are physically exhausted, will not wait due to the fact that they played a difficult match against the Swedish team Rosengard, on Wednesday, in the Champions League (1-0).

“Being in the Champions League is also part of Benfica’s growth, they are very competitive matches against excellent teams and that makes the team grow as well. This also happened last season and I think the coaching staff knows how to manage this fatigue, now they are cheering for their team,” said Mariana Cabral, who supports her team. On delivering a high-quality performance: “It’s up to us to want to win the game, regardless of everything around us.”

The Green and White coach achieved victory in the last meeting between the two teams for the national championship on March 26. This season, Sporting and Benfica also met in the Super Cup final (1-1 at the end of normal time, with the Eagles winning 3-0 on penalties), and Mariana Cabral was convinced that today she would lead a stronger team. Sporting, given the development shown by the players since playing these two matches.

“In terms of the match, I think the two teams are already going through a slightly different moment. At the beginning of the season, we were talking about a match that meant winning the title in 90 minutes, but then 90 minutes was not the case.” “It was 120 points and penalties. We have, we are improving, we are improving, we are good, ready and prepared for the game.”

The responsible Sporting coach pointed to the development of the entire team, from the players who moved from last season to the guaranteed recruitments abroad and in training, thus betting on a competitive team to compete for the three points.

“We have some characteristics, both defensively and offensively, that we didn’t have before in certain aspects, which gives us more of an advantage. Therefore, we have a very complete team, and it is growing. Things take their time.” He added: “It’s not surprising from one week to the next or from one month to the next, but we are growing and I think the team is ready to play.”

Mariana Cabral insists on the idea that “things take their time”, and acknowledges that teams may be at different points in their seasons, but that does not mean that she fails to point out that her team’s job is to “get to the game at the right time”. Maximum ability to apply the progress they have made over the weeks, with successful delivery and results.

Goalkeeper Hanna Seibert also reviewed the challenge that will take place on Sunday between Sporting and Benfica, and showed her confidence in the chances of success of the team she represents.

“I think we will give all our energy and we know how to play, and I think we can take advantage of the spaces they leave open. If we focus on that, and on our game plan, I think we can come out on top”, defended the North American.

Hannah Seibert took as an example the good image left by the last match between the two teams, the Super Cup final, to reinforce her belief that the green and white teams will be the winners this time.

“I think we will compete well against Benfica, as everyone saw that in the Super Cup, and that we were very strong against them, in a very close match in which we went to penalties. Technically, it was a defeat, but we challenged.” “They have shown that we have the power to change this outcome, and yes, I believe we have the opportunity to change history, as you like to say.”

By Lusa