Pepa flags low‑block woes after Estrela's home defeat to Casa Pia
Estrela da Amadora were beaten 2-0 at the Reboleira by Casa Pia on Saturday afternoon, a result that left manager Pepa visibly frustrated. The match formed part of the ninth round of the Primeira Liga and saw Filipe Coelho's Casa Pia side secure all three points.
Low‑block challenges identified
Pepa explained that his side struggled against teams that sit deep and press high. "We identified some difficulties against teams that play with a lower block," he said, adding that the opposition were well‑prepared on set‑pieces and quick transitions.
Tactical shortcomings and exposure
The coach added that Estrela were creating chances but lacked the decisive final pass and patience in the final third. "We are getting the ball and creating, but we miss the criterion on the last pass, on the decision to shoot and on the patience to circulate the ball," Pepa said. He also warned that the team exposed itself too much during transitions, a factor that cost them points.
Emotional balance and future focus
Pepa admitted that the emotional side of the game was affecting the squad. "In football, I usually say the score ends up being fair. We need more energy after losing the ball and we must be more effective defensively," he observed. He stressed that mental equilibrium influences tactical balance and the ability to make better decisions.
Reflecting on the two previous defeats to Arouca and Académico de Viseu, Pepa noted that while the points tally remained the same, the team had managed to produce more offensive volume in those games. "The problem is that sometimes it is difficult to identify a problem and, when that happens, we do not even know where to intervene," he said.
Looking ahead, Pepa urged his players to grow in maturity and to address the identified issues head‑on. "It is preferable to grow with points and victories, but we have to face the problem directly, understand where we are failing and correct it," he concluded.
The interview was published by Bola.