Aberdeen's chances of victory against Portuguese giants Sporting CP have been boosted with the news that their opponents were unable to train with their top management team this week.
Manager Rubin Amorim and his staff did not take training as usual for Sporting in the build-up to the Europa League tie after testing positive for coronavirus. He joined two members of his staff in isolating as well as seven players.
This could potentially provide the Dons with a slight advantage against what is sure to be an extremely tough test, but assistant Emanuel Ferro revealed that with the help of technology, Amorim was still involved in the build in some capacity.
Ferro said: "We didn't have the leader of our coaching staff present, which makes a difference, but new technologies reduce that impact. Rúben was always present in our preparation for this game, and we know that we are ready for tomorrow. It is the players who make the team play as they do."
He also claimed Sporting hope to stamp their authority on the match early. "We are going to be playing at our home stadium," he added. "We want to impose our game and have a good performance in order to achieve a good result."
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