“I believe we’re performing at a higher level when we have our full squad available. It’s evident that our attacking play has improved. However, we need to be sharper in the finer details. Ideally, we should have accumulated more points at this stage, but we always strive for improvement. We certainly need to secure more points on the board.”
Ruben, Daniel Farke’s Leeds have transformed significantly compared to just two or three months ago. How challenging will this upcoming match be?
“They possess a lot of speed, and at times, we’ve struggled against that pace. They’re riding high on confidence, but we’ve demonstrated that we can win under various circumstances. We intend to do that again. We’re aware that they may switch their formation, and they have several key players who can rotate in and out of the starting lineup. They have skilled players, a solid manager, and a great atmosphere, so it’s going to be a tough match.”
Considering the rivalry, you’ve played for Benfica and managed Sporting. How does that rivalry compare to what you expect to face on Sunday?
“It’s a different experience altogether. While I haven’t experienced this specific rivalry, the intensity is similar, albeit with unique environments and cultures. The atmosphere will be electric, and we need to deliver our best performance. It’s challenging to draw comparisons between different cultures and histories. Let’s concentrate on the match itself; it boils down to 11 players against 11, and our goal is to secure a victory.”
