Arouca, Portugal – Vasco Seabra, manager of Arouca, expressed frustration after his team’s goalless draw with Casa Pia during the 32nd round of the Liga. The match, held at the Estádio Municipal de Arouca, showcased tactical battles but lacked goals, ending 0-0. Seabra emphasized that the real challenge came not just from the opponents but also from methods aimed at disrupting the flow of play.
“Yes, it was difficult,” Seabra stated during the post-match press conference. “What pains me is that we keep complaining about referees, pitches, everything. Everyone has internal goals. I wanted to reach 42 points, now I can only aim for 40. We need to elevate our game and Portuguese football. We’ve talked in coach meetings with the Liga about extending the effective playing time. Today, the game went for 101 minutes but only had 49% effective play. This is frustrating for us as a team that wants to bring more fans to the stadium. For that, all three teams on the field must play to win.”
Seabra continued, discussing how the anti-football tactics affected the match, saying, “From the first minute, they were not focused on playing. It was frustrating. We created three big chances in the first half, but every time we approached the goal, it was like they knew how to stop the game. Each fall would waste time. That all builds anxiety for players who play to win.”
The coach praised his team for their attitude, channeling their passion into ambition as they set their sights on the next match against Gil Vicente. “I’m very proud of my players’ attitude,” he remarked. “We’re looking forward to grabbing those three points next time.”
After the final whistle, a confusing scene unfolded on the field. Seabra remarked, “I demand a lot from my players. They should always play to win. When a team isn’t concerned about competing, it’s frustrating. That sometimes leads to heated moments after the match.” He noted that a red card was shown to both sides in an attempt to quell tensions and restore order.
One change in the lineup was the introduction of João Valido, taking the place of regular starter Nico Mantl. Seabra clarified this decision: “It was a technical choice. I trust Nico, but I wanted fresh energy in players like João, who have been training exceptionally well. Popovic also showcased great commitment, especially after his solid performance against Benfica. We needed that energy against a team that could challenge us.”
Meanwhile, on the opposition side, Casa Pia’s coach, João Pereira, reflected on the monumental achievement of securing a record number of points in the Primeira Liga. “We made history with our points total. It was something we aimed for after ensuring our place in the league earlier this season,” Pereira said. He expressed gratitude towards all those associated with the club and highlighted a sense of determination to continue their momentum in the remaining matches.
Pereira noted, “We were so close to getting all three points at the end. If only Larrazabal had converted that last chance. We have two more games left, six points to fight for, and we want to keep scoring goals.”
