"Petro de Luanda, naturally, due to the conditions it has, due to its budget, and due to being the title champion and due to the punctual advantage, is the main favorite to beat Girabola, however, the second round is missing", he acknowledged.
As for Interclube, he said he was satisfied with the fourth place achieved in the first round of the national championship, with 28 points.
"The balance is clearly positive. We are in fourth place, with 28 points, two behind 1.º de Agosto, who are in third although they still have a game overdue, but I think the balance is quite positive. The important thing is we continue to improve our performance and, above all, effectiveness, because the volume of opportunities created is not in line with the goals scored and there we have to be more effective", he noted.
Now in the defensive chapter, according to Luís Gonçalves, "the whole team is responding". "By the way, we've been without conceding goals for several consecutive games, but there's still a lot to do and improve", he added.
Regarding the second round of Girabola, which starts in a few days, the Portuguese coach, who took charge of the team two months ago, recognized that his team will face many difficulties, but promised a more competitive team.
"A very competitive and ambitious Interclube is expected, which will try to win every game, play good football and also value the players", he enumerated.
Luís Gonçalves did not comment on reinforcements and dismissals, for the second round, but, on the other hand, said he hoped to see improvements in the Angolan arbitration.
"What seems to me, and with all due respect, is that at the refereeing level things could be a little better, but I also believe that referees often don't have an easy role, for various reasons, such as, for example, the behavior coaches on the bench, managers, pressure from the public and much more. But it seems to me that in this chapter we have to bet a little more so that arbitration is a little more effective", he said, in statements to Lusa.
Luís Gonçalves replaced compatriot Rogério Gonçalves in charge of the team in November 2022, after his predecessor, who led the team for four months, terminated his contract for family reasons.
