Sporting welcome Beira-Mar to the Alvalade tomorrow desperate to break out of a wretched run of form that has seen them yet to win in 2012 in six attempts.
The poor sequence of results has all but ended Sporting’s title aspirations, and Domingos is keen for his side to recapture their form as a series of important cup clashes loom on the horizon.
“Tomorrow’s game is fundamental to get rid of anxiety and give us confidence. The players want to invert this less than positive moment. To reverse a negative situation you need to show effort, great determination and to have the supporters on your side,” said Domingos.
The former FC Porto and Portugal striker has shown signs of nerves in recent weeks, with tetchy and somewhat irritable press conferences replacing his usual calm and pondered demeanour.
Domingos admitted that he has never overseen such a loss of form in any of his teams during his successful spells at União de Leiria, Académica and Braga. “I have never experienced a situation like this, but I believe in hard work and I have not for one minute thought about changing my beliefs and my methods of working.
“To win we have to do better, and I believe that through work the cycle of poor results will invert itself.”
With Bulgarian striker Bojinov serving an internal club suspension and Ricky van Wolfswinkel still out injured, teenage striker Diego Rúbio may be thrown into the deep end. Midfielder Schaars, Rinaudo and Izmailov continue out injured, but Elias returns after serving a one-match suspension.
Beira-Mar coach, Rui Bento, a former Sporting player, does not expect the current problems afflicting the Lisbon side to make his team’s task any easier.
“Sporting play to be champions, and although they are far from this objective, they still have great players and are a very well coached team,” said Bento.
Kick-off at 5pm local time on Sunday afternoon at the Estádio Alvalade, Lisbon.
“Tomorrow’s game is fundamental to get rid of anxiety and give us confidence. The players want to invert this less than positive moment. To reverse a negative situation you need to show effort, great determination and to have the supporters on your side,” said Domingos.
The former FC Porto and Portugal striker has shown signs of nerves in recent weeks, with tetchy and somewhat irritable press conferences replacing his usual calm and pondered demeanour.
Domingos admitted that he has never overseen such a loss of form in any of his teams during his successful spells at União de Leiria, Académica and Braga. “I have never experienced a situation like this, but I believe in hard work and I have not for one minute thought about changing my beliefs and my methods of working.
“To win we have to do better, and I believe that through work the cycle of poor results will invert itself.”
With Bulgarian striker Bojinov serving an internal club suspension and Ricky van Wolfswinkel still out injured, teenage striker Diego Rúbio may be thrown into the deep end. Midfielder Schaars, Rinaudo and Izmailov continue out injured, but Elias returns after serving a one-match suspension.
Beira-Mar coach, Rui Bento, a former Sporting player, does not expect the current problems afflicting the Lisbon side to make his team’s task any easier.
“Sporting play to be champions, and although they are far from this objective, they still have great players and are a very well coached team,” said Bento.
Kick-off at 5pm local time on Sunday afternoon at the Estádio Alvalade, Lisbon.
