Is this why you’re holding back? The team’s defensive strengths appear to be lacking…
“It’s a combination of factors. If you look closely, our team has undergone significant changes in recent weeks. It’s all about confidence, results, and the overall perception of our squad. I see the potential in our team, and that perspective hasn’t shifted. Our goal is to maintain team balance. Take the first goal, for instance; it involved some risk. I want Amad in that position, but he isn’t our strongest defender against crosses. Ideally, we should press high and have more players upfront to better control the game, but if we had someone else there, they might provide better defensive coverage. It’s a calculated risk—we adapt our approach based on the characteristics of each match. It’s not solely about defense; it reflects the overall situation of our team and club, encompassing everything.”
Do you think the dip in energy was due to playing away from home?
“I can’t say for certain. Playing at a venue like Old Trafford has its own atmosphere that can elevate us in key moments. We need to recapture that sense of being a formidable team, one that isn’t influenced by the surroundings. While we’re not quite there yet, it’s true that many top teams in our league feel more at ease when playing at home, which is natural. What we must do is inject more energy into our play. Admittedly, it can be more challenging to generate that energy away from home, but we need to dig deep and uplift ourselves because our team needs to play with full intensity to excel. Any drop in energy is noticeable.”
So, is the team simply more confident at home?
“Yes, it largely comes down to the energy from the crowd during key moments. When Amad makes those transitional plays and the crowd reacts, you can really feel that boost at home. That’s why Old Trafford holds such significance for us, especially at this point.”
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