Nacional coach Tiago Margarido outlined his tactical expectations for Sunday’s league clash against Estoril, emphasizing his team’s evolving play over immediate table concerns.
Margarido predicted a “very tactical” encounter, anticipating “constant adjustments” from both sides when speaking to reporters Friday in Funchal. He believes the game will offer a high-quality spectacle.
The coach stressed his focus on the team’s “quality of play” rather than their current points tally. He indicated he would only begin to “do the math” for league survival in the final four rounds of the season.
Margarido noted his team is consistently consolidating its playing style with each match.
He also praised opponent Estoril, despite their 16th-place standing in the Liga Portugal Betclic. Margarido highlighted their “very high technical profile” and coach Ian Cathro’s “outside-the-box ideas,” stating their current position does not reflect their true quality.
Nacional, currently 10th with 10 points, will face Estoril, who sit in 16th with six points, in the ninth round of the league.
The match will take place at Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 PM local time (14:30 UTC). Miguel Fonseca of the Porto Football Association will referee.
In terms of player availability, Nacional’s 37-year-old captain João Aurélio, who was rested for the previous two matches, has returned to full training and is eligible for selection. Daniel Júnior also recovered from injury and recently played minutes in a Portuguese Cup victory.
However, Lucas França, Ulisses Rocha, Ivanildo Fernandes, and Miguel Baeza remain sidelined due to injuries.
Nacional enters the match following consecutive league victories, defeating Sporting de Braga 1-0 and Moreirense 3-2.