Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande highlighted his personal battle back to full fitness following injury, while emphasizing the team’s unwavering commitment to victory in all competitions ahead of an upcoming Champions League showdown.
Diomande, speaking to Sporting TV, expressed satisfaction after playing the full 90 minutes in two consecutive matches, a significant milestone in his recovery. The Côte d’Ivoire international was visibly fatigued after the recent 2-0 domestic cup win against Alverca.
This victory served as crucial preparation for Sporting CP’s highly anticipated Champions League match against Juventus.
The defender underlined that every competition matters for the Lisbon side. “At Sporting we have to win every game. So, all competitions are very important to us,” he stated.
Diomande noted the challenge of facing teams like Alverca, which employ a deep defensive block. “Before the game, we knew it would be a difficult game. They were in a very low block and we had to be patient.”
He also highlighted the difficulty of marking powerful strikers, referencing his duel with Alverca’s Marezi. “These kinds of teams always have a very big and strong striker. And when that happens, they use him for second balls.”
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Diomande stressed the need for careful management of his injury. “The injury I have requires care. So, even when I recovered, I thought ‘let’s go slowly until I return to my best form’.”
He concluded with a message to the club’s supporters, expressing gratitude for their unwavering loyalty. “We know that the fans will always support us in every game… We know we have to give everything for them.”