Four games into the season, Estoril still searches for its first win in Liga Portugal Betclic. While many might worry, coach Ian Cathro remains remarkably calm. The Scottish manager views this early winless streak as quite normal. He insists there is nothing unusual about it at all.
“It’s true, we haven’t secured a victory yet,” Cathro stated to reporters. He spoke before the team’s upcoming match against AVS SAD. “But this group knows how to win games. Of course, it would be much better if we already had points. Since we don’t, we simply live with that reality. Our goal is to improve every single day, and we’ll keep that process going.”
Cathro stressed the importance of a clear approach. “We need humility and honesty in how we work,” he said. This means correcting issues and getting better at controlling matches. The aim is for the team to grow steadily throughout the entire season.
The team from the Cascais Line will host AVS this Saturday. Cathro confirmed that their recent loss to Santa Clara has not hurt team spirits. The players are motivated and ready to turn things around. “We’ve had a completely normal week,” he explained. “We’re working hard, staying humble about our efforts. Yet, we hold great ambition for our future and the club’s future too.” He added, “It’s about facing everything with a calm mind. We will keep working well and prepare to start this next game strong.”
Cathro also shared his insights on their upcoming opponent. “AVS comes with a very well-defined defensive strategy,” he noted. “They are a team that certainly won’t give up easily. On offense, they have creative players. They are skilled at finding spaces, especially moving forward from the midfield.”
Good news arrived with the return of all players from international duty. This includes Tiago Parente and Lominadze. Thankfully, everyone came back without any injuries. “Thursday was our first training session with the full squad,” Cathro confirmed. “It’s always very important that no one got hurt. This group clearly knows how to work together. All players are showing their qualities and capabilities.” He believes every player is essential. “We need everyone to keep building and growing. Hopefully, this will lead to a better, more stable future for this club.”
When asked if the boosted confidence of players like Parente and Lominadze, fresh from national team duties, would help the squad, Cathro agreed. “Players often return from international games with extra energy,” he pointed out. “Whether it’s pride or simple joy, these moments are valuable. They are especially significant for younger players, offering them new experiences.”
Looking back at the first four rounds of the Liga Portugal Betclic, Cathro remained optimistic. “We continue to show that this team will be a positive addition to the Portuguese league,” he stated. “We can bring quality to this championship. Over time, the league will naturally reward us with good games and points.”