On the eve of the European clash against PAOK, head coach Vítor Bruno and striker Danylo Sikan spoke to the press. Following the 0-1 victory in Greece, Sporting will start Thursday’s second leg with a slender lead. “We’re only halfway through and we have nothing in our hands yet. We’ll have to be at our best tomorrow to qualify,” said the coach. Watch the full press conference on Mauve TV.
Danylo Sikan opened the press conference by looking back on his past few months at RSCA. “I feel good at the moment. It was a difficult start for me at RSCA because I got injured immediately after arriving here. Now that I’m fully fit again, I can simply focus on my game.” In recent weeks, the Ukrainian striker has scored twice in three European matches. “I’m happy with how things are going. I was also able to play the full 90 minutes against PAOK, so that’s great.”
In the two-legged tie against Hammarby IF, Danylo particularly impressed with his unstoppable free kick - the first of his professional career. “At my previous clubs, I hardly ever took free kicks, but in training I usually manage to get the ball on target,” the striker said with a smile. Sikan has also attempted several shots from outside the box in recent games. “I know I mainly have to be in the box to score, but if teams give me the space to shoot from outside the box, I’ll take my chance.”
In the opening league game against La Louvière, Sikan started on the bench before coming on in the number ten position, behind Mihajlo Cvetković. “I play wherever the coach wants me to play,” he said. “I get along well with Cvetko. He’s a good player with a lot of quality and there’s a certain connection between us. We can both play as the lone striker, but it can also work in a two-striker system.”
It is now up to Vítor Bruno to decide which attackers will start on Thursday. “I’m not bluffing when I say that the players don’t know yet who will play, but we have a lot of options.” Against La Louvière, the coach opted to leave several of his PAOK starters on the bench. “From the outside, it might have been a surprise, but for me, they were the best eleven players for that game and at that moment. I always look at what is in the best interest of the team.”
The Portuguese coach expects a "big battle" at the Lotto Park. “PAOK have something to make up for, so they’ll give everything they have. But that doesn’t change the way we approach the game. We’re focused on our task.” Despite the slender lead from the first leg, Bruno is determined to prevent his players from resting on their laurels. “We’re only halfway through and we have nothing in our hands yet. Tomorrow, we’ll approach the game with respect for PAOK, but above all with a focus on what we want to bring to the game. I expect my players to give everything, with the support of our loyal fans. If that’s the case, I’ll be satisfied.”
The game will be played on Thursday, August 13, at a sold-out Lotto Park and can be watched live on Mauve TV with bilingual commentary from 20:15. Kick-off is at 20:30.