Trainer Rúben Amorim has expressed his expectations on the eve of the Champions League match with Ajax. The Sporting Portugal coach stated at the press conference that he sees many similarities between his team and the team from Amsterdam, especially given the offensive mentality and the contribution of his own youth. Still, Amorim hints that he sees Ajax as a slight favorite for Wednesday’s meeting. Erik ten Hag agrees with the words of his colleague trainer and sees ‘the same ingredients’ in the teams.
“They are two clubs with the same philosophy”, Amorim says when he is asked about his view on the team of trainer Ten Hag. “Ajax is committed to the youth and is known for creating great players, just like Sporting. But they are two clubs that are in different phases. Ajax has received few new players, but we still have to fit in many new players. In addition, a big difference is that we sometimes deviate from our philosophy in Portugal, and Ajax does not do that.”
“Ajax plays very nice and good football”, continues the Sporting trainer. “They have more experience within the team and we see Ajax as a big club in the Champions League. After all, we must not forget that they were in a semi-final of the Champions League not so long ago (in May 2019, ed.). To get there, we still need to take a few steps,” said Amorim, who is of the opinion that his team is ready for the first meeting in Group C. “We have our own way of playing, and we have a lot of quality. .”
Davy Klaassen did not travel to Portugal due to groin complaints, and his absence is a windfall, according to Amorim. “He is a smart player who also works very hard, but we also miss important football players.” The coach has no access to last season’s injured top scorer in the Primeira Liga, Pedro Goncalves, and captain Sebastián Coates. The latter is suspended. Furthermore, Amorim wanted to give a definite answer about whether or not Gonçalo Inácio and Tiago Tomás were playing, who were still missing in the competition match with FC Porto (1-1) last Saturday.
Midfielder João Palhinha, who accompanied Amorim at the press conference, did not want to say anything about the battle plan against Ajax. “But we prepare for Ajax as we prepare for any opponent. It is a team that needs no introduction: it is a team that is used to regularly playing on this kind of stage. Most Sporting players haven’t had the chance to play in this competition yet, but we’re really looking forward to hearing the Champions League anthem and enjoying that unique moment,” concludes Palhinha.
On the same evening, Ten Hag was asked for his opinion on Amorim’s words. “What do I think of the trainer saying that Ajax is further along? I think he is right,” Ten Hag said at the press conference when asked. “The philosophy and style he tries to convey to the team are the same. They are the same ingredients”, says the choice lord.