The start of a new season often brings its own set of challenges, and Nacional has certainly faced them. With just one point after three league games, sitting in 14th place, it hasn’t been the smooth opening they might have hoped for. The sting of a recent 4-1 loss to the two-time national champions is still fresh. Yet, for Tiago Margarido, Nacional’s coach, the spirit remains strong. He shared his thoughts on Thursday, looking ahead to Saturday’s Liga Betclic match against Casa Pia.
Margarido emphasized that his team understands they are in a process of development. They feel very positive about the upcoming game. He admitted the team felt “wounded” by not securing a win against Sporting. But this feeling has fueled a strong desire to push forward. The 36-year-old coach views the current league position with calm. He believes the team is on the right path.
The coach for the opposing side, João Pereira, has kept a lot of his players from last season. This means Casa Pia enjoys a stable setup. Their playing style is very similar to what it was before. Margarido explained that this gives the Lisbon team a solid foundation for the match. They know what to expect from such a consistent opponent.
Nacional’s main goal is to finish the season strong, meeting their objectives. The team wants to earn points, and they work hard to achieve them. Margarido mentioned that getting points before the upcoming break would be fantastic. However, his biggest concern right now is seeing the team improve and grow with each game.
On the player front, Nacional has some hurdles to overcome. Deivison Souza, Ivanildo Fernandes, and Miguel are all still receiving treatment in the medical department. They will not play. Pablo Ruan is also unavailable, serving a suspension after being sent off in the last round. On a brighter note, Motez Nourani has recovered from his injury. He is now training without any limits and could be included in the squad. Plus, Daniel Júnior, a new midfielder, was officially introduced on Wednesday, adding fresh talent to the team.
This Saturday, Nacional, currently 14th with one point, will travel to face Casa Pia, who sit 10th with three points. The game kicks off at 3:30 PM at the Estádio Municipal de Rio Maior. João Pinheiro, from the Braga association, will be the referee for this crucial fourth-round clash.