Patrick Vieira opened the way, with a penalty, for the club’s first victory, against Felgueiras (3-2). Defense arrived in Portugal eight years ago
At the age of 32, Patrick Vieira is one of the most prominent names in the Anadia squad. With experience from I Liga, where he accumulated seasons at Marítimo, V. Setúbal and Santa Clara, but still recovering his best physical shape, the right-back who two years ago, at Mafra, had to deal with two serious injuries, now waits show again the level he has already demonstrated in Portugal.
In the fourth game for the Bairradinos, the defender opened the way, with a penalty, for the club’s first victory in Liga 3, against Felgueiras (3-2), an opponent that in the previous round had pulverized Canelas, by winning by a historic 8 -0… Trained at América Mineiro, where he worked with Danilo (former FC Porto), Matheus (Braga) and Richarlison (Tottenham), the Brazilian is delighted with Portugal.
After four games, Anadia achieved its first victory. Do you think the team already deserved this result?
-Undoubtedly. We started in Canelas, we had a good first half, but at times there was a lack of concentration in the air. We sinned in that and let slip a victory that we had in hand, in a game that was under control. In the following games, against Fafe and Sanjoanense, we were sent off and, unfortunately, we conceded a goal. The coach had already asked us to stay focused the whole game and against Felgueiras we were able to control our anxiety. We knew how to suffer, defend well and that was the main thing for us to get the first victory, which will give us confidence.
The triumph was achieved against Felgueiras, who had won 8-0 against Canelas. What was the secret to stopping them?
-We knew that Felgueiras is strong in this competition, always fighting to go up. That gave us even more motivation. It’s a team that lets play and we’re also technically good. The main thing was union, concentration and controlling anxiety.
Patrick kicked off the victory with a penalty goal. How did you feel on this debut scoring for Anadia?
-I’m in the process of physical recovery. In the first two games I entered, against Sanjoanense I was able to participate a little more and I played 75 minutes. Against Felgueiras, the more experienced players should take the penalty kick at that moment in the game. I had confidence and, thank God, I managed to convert the bid. And that gave peace of mind.
Last season, Anadia managed to stay in Liga 3 in the last round and in compensation. This year, is the goal to avoid this suffering?
-SAD’s project is to grow in the medium and long term. The team is being made up of young players and we didn’t have the desired start, but game by game, for the teams we faced, we still have a great chance of classifying Anadia so that they don’t go through what they went through last season. We have to fight for this region and for the fans to walk in the top places.
He is one of the most experienced players in the squad. Why did you accept this challenge?
-I know Renê and Roque Júnior, who are part of SAD, and they invited me. They are serious people, they have an ambitious project and they don’t do crazy things. I thought it was interesting to be a part of it. Coach Joel Sampaio and the technical team want to grow in their careers. Here we have Perdigão and Alvarinho, who have already played in the I Liga. We hope to help Anadia grow.
You’ve been through the I and II League, do you feel you’re a respected player at this club?
– People respect me. We also have to lead by example. Participation in the II Liga did not go as planned; I had two injuries at Mafra… I returned to Brazil, in 2020, to Coritiba, I terminated with Santa Clara, then I went to Poland, to Radomiak Radom, but the contract promises were not fulfilled. I was out of work for a year and when Mafra came along I wanted to speed up my physical condition and that was harmful… Today, my purpose is different. I hope to play good games, grow and return to bigger leagues, maybe with Anadia.
He arrived in Portugal eight years ago to represent Marítimo. Did you expect to quickly impose yourself in the I Liga?
-When I came to Marítimo, I didn’t follow the Portuguese championship closely. There was Éber Bessa, who helped me adapt and today I can say that I feel like a Portuguese. I hope to continue for many years in Portugal.