SPORTING : Domingos: ?We know we can win?

"They were two enjoyable years that left a mark on me", opened the Sporting coach in Saturday's press conference, reflecting on his time at the helm of Braga, ahead of the Lions taking on the northern Portuguese tomorrow night.

With this being his first league match as a manager taking on his former employer, the media were curious to gauge the Alvalade coach's mood, but Domingos showed little hesitation in speaking highly of his time with Braga. "I will be visiting a place where I was very happy and where I felt comfortable. I have nothing but praise for the fans and players who stood by me during those two years", noted Domingos, adding that he is more than aware of the threat posed by tomorrow's opponents: "These days you can't really say that any particular team has an advantage when taking on another, but we will be looking to take away all three points. Everybody who words with me knows what Braga's strong points are. They will approach the game seriously and they will be playing on their home turf. However, we know that if we focus then we are perfectly capable of winning this."

Sporting's Dutch star Ricky van Wolfswinkel picked up a knock last game and will miss out on tomorrow's clash, but Domingos highlighted that both Bojinov and Seba "are valid options."

With 2012 already two weeks old, the Lions are still yet to turn in a win this year. However, Domingos stressed that there is no need for any sort of knee-jerk reaction: "We are aware that we have to do more that we have been doing in the first halves of games, but if we keep doing what we have been doing in the second halves, then wins will come. Obviously I will make changes when needed, because doing so is only going to improve the team."

Text: Andreia Alexandre
Photos: César Santos