Margarido urges Vitória SC to stay strong against organised Marítimo

Vitória SC head coach Tiago Margarido previewed the upcoming ninth‑round Primeira Liga clash with Marítimo, stressing the need for strength after five winless games. The encounter will take place at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques at 20:45, with three points essential for the hosts.

Vitória SC are desperate to halt a sequence of five matches without a win in the Primeira Liga. The ninth‑round fixture against Marítimo offers the first realistic chance to collect three points this season. A victory would also lift the side out of the bottom half of the table.

Match stakes and fan support

After a subdued display against Moreirense that drew criticism, Margarido was asked about the supporters’ role at the return to Estádio D. Afonso Henriques. He expressed absolute confidence that the fans understand the club’s need and will create an “infernal atmosphere” for the visitors. “They will support us for the full ninety minutes and lift us in the difficult moments,” he added.

Margarido reiterated that Vitória enters every match with the intention of winning, a pressure that has been present since the first day of the campaign. He claimed the players are more than prepared and that the squad remains calm and confident. “We want the three points, we work hard for them and we are ready,” he affirmed.

Margarido's tactical plan

The coach insisted the solution lies in maintaining the offensive style the team has displayed so far. He described Marítimo as a “very well‑organised, experienced and heavy team” whose players read the game well. “We have to be strong and keep creating offensive imbalances with our full‑backs,” he said.

According to Margarido, Marítimo excels in positional exchanges and linked play, seeking successive ball‑to‑ball movements. Their strength, he noted, is in executing coordinated attacks and exploiting space. He believes that staying true to Vitória’s own approach will ultimately win the match.

The manager pointed to previous performances against Casa Pia, Nacional and Arouca as benchmarks of the team’s offensive indices. He believes the squad can revert to those standards and regain normality in their displays. “I am convinced the team will win the game and return to the level we have shown before,” Margarido concluded.

When questioned whether the Marítimo game is the ideal platform to showcase the side’s best level, Margarido answered affirmatively. He recalled the lack of competence shown against Moreirense and highlighted the peculiarities of a recent cup tie against Benfica on synthetic turf, where a complete overhaul of the starting eleven disrupted routine. “We must do far more than we did against Moreirense, and I am certain that will happen against Marítimo,” he asserted.

Coaching culture in Portugal

Margarido commented on the broader Portuguese coaching culture, where the head coach is often singled out for success or failure. He argued that many individuals are involved from day one to the last, and that the coach should not bear the sole blame. “We must change this perception and recognise the collective responsibility within a project,” he said.