Mitchell van der Gaag, former assistant to Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, commented on Marítimo's performance after the Madeiran team's defeat against Benfica. The Dutch coach praised the players' attitude and commitment during the match.
Van der Gaag expressed longing for a time when Marítimo was a competitive team, capable of fighting for European places in the Portuguese League. His words reflect a certain nostalgia for the island club's tradition of battling for more ambitious objectives.
The defeat to Benfica represented another negative result in Marítimo's season, as they have struggled to remain competitive in the top Portuguese league. Despite the poor result, the coach valued the team's attitude on the pitch.
The Dutchman, who now manages Marítimo, appears to want to rebuild the club's competitive identity, recalling the times when the Madeiran team was a force in Portuguese football.
