Sport coach Mariano Soso believes the team must manage its anxiety and improve its precision in constructing attacks during the final two matches of the Série B first phase. He also stressed that the side must maintain its defensive solidity.
Soso made the assessment after Sport drew 1-1 with Botafogo-SP in Ribeirão Preto last Saturday. Asked what the team needs to do differently to pursue its promotion objective, the coach first highlighted qualities he wants to preserve.
“I value very much that the team is competitive and has to be persevering and have deep conviction ahead of the next match,” Soso said.
According to the coach, the pressure of the final stage can naturally increase players’ anxiety. He said the issue must be addressed collectively so it does not affect the team’s performance, particularly when it has possession.
“Because it is also the final stage, playing under a lot of pressure generally creates anxiety. So, we have to work on everything as a group to try to reduce that anxiety, so the team plays with more precision, especially in building the game, and sustains its defensive solidity. It is a consistent team,” he added.
Sport resumed training at its training centre on Monday and was scheduled to work again on Tuesday morning. The squad will train in Recife on Wednesday morning before travelling to Curitiba. A further session is planned for Thursday, when the team will begin its concentration for the match.
Sport will face Operário-PR at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Germano Krüger in the 37th round. The match will be the club’s second consecutive away fixture. Sport’s final game will be against Goiás at Ilha do Retiro, and the team has no suspended players for the meeting in Ponta Grossa, Paraná.
Sport had the chance to move into the Série B promotion group with a win over Botafogo-SP but could only draw. In preparation for the trip to face Operário-PR, Soso has therefore made reducing anxiety and improving precision in attacking construction two of the team’s main priorities.
Sources: Globo Esporte.