A perfect night for FC Porto? “We wanted to produce a great performance to prove to everyone that we belong in the Champions League and that we can be successful. I believe that, after the first previous games – in which our performance was not bad enough to leave us without any points -, we had a memorable night for us and our fans, providing a good spectacle for those who were in the stadium and for those who watched on television. I am very satisfied with our performance, the way we approached the match. It was a great night.”
What to say about Napoli? “They have a great team, with players of enormous individual value, so we had to remain vigilant throughout the match. That’s precisely what we managed to control very well, apart from that thing in the first half when we conceded the goal. Apart from that, we were very confident defensively and with the ball. We circulated the game well and created opportunities. Overall, we put on a very consistent tactical display. We knew what Napoli intended to do and, fortunately, we secured the three points.”
Is it the starting point in the Champions League? “We hoped to have won the first three points sooner, but there is always a time to take off. Tonight was the turning point for us to get back on our feet and start building something relevant. I fully believe in the quality of this working group to compete at the highest level and I am convinced that this is just the beginning of a positive journey.”
Is Playoff the goal? “We still have many rounds to go and many points to play for. The main objective is to play at our true level, win challenge after challenge and not project the future too much. The essential thing is to focus exclusively on the next match without looking at the table. We can only score three points in each round and the secret lies in moving forward step by step.”
Was it special to score your debut in the Champions League? “It’s fantastic. For me, my family and my friends, it’s a very special moment and a reward for our dedication. Still, the most important thing was that the goal helped the team to unlock the game from the start, confirming our strong start. That’s the key: making an individual contribution for the benefit of the team. That’s also my mission in the offensive set pieces. We worked exhaustively on that moment in the game, convinced that it makes a difference, and luckily we managed to capitalize today in that way.”
Is this what you meant when you told the fans that the team was going to turn things around? “The level of internal demand we place on ourselves is always the highest. We readily recognize when we were not up to par and my message at the time was aimed at unity and mutual trust. We proved on the field that, when the team is united and the stadium is pulling in the same direction, we make a difference. Dragão becomes a true fortress and becomes a very difficult terrain for any opponent. I am very satisfied with our performance and with the support of the fans. Together we are capable of achieving great goals.”
