Rio Ave heads to Arouca this Saturday for a match under the lights at 8:30 PM. Coach Sotiris Silaidopoulos has one clear mission: secure the team’s first league victory. That win slipped away during the opening game, and the Greek coach is eager to make it happen now.
Silaidopoulos already has a good read on Arouca. He saw their first home game in person. He calls them a strong side, full of pace and direct play. Rio Ave plans to keep up the good work from their last game against Nacional. This means focusing on all aspects of the game, both with and without the ball. The coach believes that if his players stay sharp for the full 90 minutes, they can leave with a positive result.
The team has been reviewing its last performance closely. Silaidopoulos noted that his initial thoughts after the game still hold true. He felt the team managed the first half well. They even had chances to put the game to bed right after scoring and again early in the second half. Failing to take those chances cost them dearly in the end. He wants to see improvement in many areas, not just tactics, fitness, or mindset. But he stressed that finishing was the most critical issue in that last match. If they had finished better, they might be talking about a different game and a different outcome today. He stands by his assessment: it wasn’t a great display, and the team demands more from themselves.
When facing Arouca, Silaidopoulos expects a strong reaction. Teams usually step up after a negative result. However, his main focus isn’t just on what Arouca will do. He cares more about how his own team shows up. He wants to see how they stay focused and handle every tactical moment of the game.
The coach also cleared up comments about his team’s previous showing. He never said he disliked the team. Instead, he felt they could have played better. They could have held onto the ball more and shown more bravery in their positions. When playing against ten men, more is expected. But he also recognized it was the first game of the season, played in front of their home fans, which can add psychological pressure. He reminds his players there’s a difference between worrying about the score and worrying about how they perform. He seeks more consistency in performance because, he believes, good results will naturally follow.
Regarding new faces, some players joined last week. They need time to settle in and learn the team’s style and their new teammates. Once they are ready, they will raise the team’s overall level. Silaidopoulos is happy with the current group. Still, the club’s management knows what the team needs and is working on it. For now, the coach is solely focused on the upcoming game. Anything else will be sorted out at the end of the transfer window.