Statements by Paulo Turra, new coach of Vitória, in the preview of the reception to Vizela, scheduled for 18:00 on Sunday
Coach Paulo Turra promised this Saturday an intense Vitória de Guimarães « without the ball and with the ball », before his debut in charge of the Victorians, against Vizela, for the third round of the I Liga.
Pleased with the « very good environment » and with the « united group » he found on his return to a club he represented as a player, in the 2004/05 season, the Brazilian coach projected an « aggressive, strong team, with good game behavior settled » for the season that extends until May, starting with Sunday’s clash in Guimarães.
« Regardless of Vitória’s game model in the next game or during the season, my principle is that we have to have an intense team without the ball and with the ball », he stressed, in the press conference in anticipation of the duel scheduled for 18:00: 00, at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques.
Convinced that Vitória has players « with capacity and talent », Paulo Turra promises to look at the « characteristics of the squad » when it comes to « assembling the team » and refuses to « be hostage to a single game model », despite the coach having favored the 4x2x3x1 tactical system in the past and that the Minho team started the season in a 3x5x2.
The former coach of Athletico Paranaense and Santos, two Brazilian teams he coached in 2023, considered that the « most important » thing is to continue the triumphs of the first two rounds of the championship – Estrela da Amadora (1-0), still with Moreno coach, and Gil Vicente (2-1), with João Aroso – and promised to respect Vizela, although without any fear.
« It is a team with interesting players. Regardless of who is on the other side, Vitória will respect (this team). During the week, it will carry out all the training, meeting and video protocols (to analyze the opponent). We respect everyone, but we don’t fear anyone », he stressed.
With a 15-year career as a coach, nine as the main coach and six as assistant to the former Brazil and Portugal men’s national coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who he describes as one of the « greatest coaches in the world » in terms of titles and knowledge, Paulo Turra believes he will adapt to Portugal and even sees today’s football as « very globalized ».
« Within the metrics and teams I’ve worked with in recent years, European football has more intensity. Brazilian football is moving in that direction, due to many foreign coaches, including Portuguese ones. , with and without the ball, » he said.
The former central defender for Vitória and Boavista also commented on doubts about obtaining Level IV coaching status from UEFA, equivalent to the licenses obtained from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and the body that oversees South American football, the CONMEBOL, without, however, clarifying whether he will have the status of head coach on Sunday.
« Sooner or later, I’ll be on the sidelines. The way I am, sanguine, I’d like to be providing information (to the players) all the time. I have the Pro license from the CBF and the Pro license from CONMEBOL (to train ). Sooner or later, equivalences will be recognized (in Europe) », he said.
Vitória de Guimarães, ranked fourth, with six points, receives Vizela, 14th, with one, in a challenge for the third round of the I Liga, scheduled for 6:00 pm on Sunday, at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, in Guimarães, with arbitration by Miguel Nogueira, from the Lisbon Football Association.