The final whistle blew, and the scoreboard showed no goals for either side. Estoril and Nottingham Forest had played to a 0-0 draw. For Ian Cathro, Estoril’s coach, the result itself wasn’t the main takeaway. Instead, he saw it as another crucial step in getting his players ready for the official season. He noted the team showed “good signs” of progress, a quiet victory in itself.
Cathro sees these early matches as classroom tests, not final exams. “It’s just one more part of our preparation,” he explained. The team has put in four or five weeks of heavy work. Players are tired from all the effort. But with each day, Cathro feels his squad is getting closer to being truly ready for competition. They are pushing past the toughest part of training.
The coach doesn’t get too focused on where the team stands right now. He knows one date is most important: the Monday they play Estrela. “We have to be truly prepared for that game, no matter what,” he stated. Estoril wanted to play strong teams like Nottingham Forest. These games help them grow. Cathro admits people will hear him say the same thing again and again: the team wants to grow and get better. He believes this particular match against Forest offered clear hints of that growth.
So, what should fans expect from this Estoril team? Cathro’s first thoughts are always for the supporters. “The Estoril fans know me already,” he said. They understand the team’s spirit and desire. Players will do everything to improve, so fans can enjoy watching and feel a strong bond with their team. Cathro would love to win every match, but he’s realistic. “It’s very hard, maybe even unlikely,” he admitted. Still, they will always try.
When asked about his current players, Cathro’s approach is simple. His daily mission is clear. “I have to work every day preparing and making the players who are here better,” he finished. It’s a coach’s promise, a commitment to the steady, unglamorous work that happens behind the scorelines.