Portuguese football coach Vasco Botelho da Costa has pointed to his team’s recurring concession of penalty kicks, largely due to what he termed internal “incompetence,” as a major hindrance to their performance this season.
Moreirense has conceded seven penalty goals out of 13 total goals allowed in the championship so far. Botelho da Costa explicitly stated he cannot fault the arbitration team for any of these infractions.
His candid comments followed Moreirense’s recent loss to FC Porto, a match where a penalty kick helped the opposing team equalize in the late first half.
Botelho da Costa indicated that his team otherwise largely controlled FC Porto’s offensive play, a side known for its distinct tactical approach. He believes his players were defensively competent throughout much of the game.
He emphasized that these penalty errors are “very penalizing” and “cannot happen” if the team is to improve. The coach also noted that his squad is not inexperienced in the league.
Beyond defensive issues, Botelho da Costa highlighted a need for the team to grow offensively and gain confidence. He views defeats not as setbacks but as opportunities for learning and development.
The coach asserted his focus remains on the “process” of playing well, rather than immediate results or league standings, believing that strong execution naturally leads to positive outcomes. He maintained that his team understood and managed much of FC Porto’s strategy, despite the final score.