“Santa Clara will be difficult. Fortunately, let’s play at home”

“ O Santa Clara is a very mature team, strong physically, has a spear tip [Gonçalo Patience] that is scoring goals and extremes very fast. And there's also a squad that's deep enough so that those who come in can help and improve the team. It's a team with confidence. [...] It will be another difficult game, but fortunately, we will play at home”, said the technician.

In a press conference, the insulars’ ‘starter’ rejected the idea of greater pressure for the current series of seven games without winning for the championship, recalling the game with FC Porto, in which the team also lost, but in general, “people were happy” for the good replica over the 90 minutes.

“The pressure is always there to win games and points [...] Even the game of the Portuguese Cup [with Alcochetense] was relatively well, but that heavy defeat with Vitória de Guimarães was very strong. Meanwhile, the other teams are winning, and so you look more at the table. But since the first journey we are doing this, in search of points ", he has.

The Dutch coach also commented on the recent elimination of the League Cup, before Sporting, in a game in which the team lost by 2-1, but could “have done more”, even in the face of the opponent.

Still about the game in Alvalade, Van der Gaag confirmed that despite the positive display of the goalkeeper Gonçalo Tabuaço, Fran Vieites continues to be the ‘owner’ of the goal and will resume the title vis-à-vis Santa Clara.

Vladan Danilovic recovered from injury and is able to be summoned, while Maxime Dominguez and Yellu Santiago remain outside for physical reasons, according to Van der Gaag.

The Marítimo, 14th ranked, with eight points, receives on Sunday the Santa Clara, fourth, with 18, from 18:00, in Funchal, under the arbitration of Carlos Macedo, of the Braga association.