Sporting forward Luis Suarez says his side “fear no one” ahead of facing Arsenal, while Geny Catamo has also insisted the Portuguese club are confident before the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Sporting striker Luis Suarez has delivered a defiant message ahead of the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal, insisting the Portuguese side “fear no one” despite the scale of the task awaiting them in Lisbon.
Speaking to UEFA, as reported by Record, Suarez said: “We are not afraid of anyone. We respect every opponent, but we fear none.” It is a line that offers a clear indication of the mood inside the Sporting camp before Tuesday night’s meeting with Mikel Arteta’s side at Alvalade.
The Colombian also reflected on the challenge of stepping into the void left by Viktor Gyokeres. Suarez said: “For any player, taking Viktor’s place is a huge challenge. I can even say it is the most exciting of my career, and I believe I am living up to it.” He added that he now feels calmer and better equipped mentally than when he first arrived in Europe. “I have the responsibility to show why they brought me here,” he said. “That is what stands out most to me here because I have to repay the trust that the club and the fans placed in me.”
Suarez was not the only Sporting player to strike a confident tone. Winger Geny Catamo also said the team believed in itself going into the Arsenal game. “The team is always confident when it comes to Champions League matches, even when it comes to a big team like Arsenal,” he said. “That is how I feel, even before a game against a team like Arsenal.”
Speaking in the aftermath of Sporting’s 4-2 league win over Santa Clara, with attention already shifting firmly towards Europe. There was also reference to the club’s recent 5-0 victory over Bodo/Glimt, which overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit and clearly remains a major source of belief inside the squad. Catamo said the emotion of that night was still vivid, adding: “My tears described everything. It was an incredible day, not only for Sporting but for all of us.” Suarez agreed, saying: “I think epic is the right word. We finished happy because we showed that what was seen in Bodo was not the real Sporting.”
For Arsenal, the comments are unlikely to come as a surprise. Sporting are at home, in form, and carrying obvious conviction into the tie. Suarez’s message, though, leaves no room for caution or deference. Sporting may respect Arsenal, but they do not intend to be intimidated by them.