Game analysis: “We played a good game, especially in the first half. We were in the game, we created a lot of problems for FC Porto and in many areas we were better than FC Porto. But FC Porto were a better team when it came to set pieces, they scored that way, something we worked on. The details made the history of this game. When we have opportunities to score against big teams, we have to take advantage of them. We didn’t do that today, especially in the first half. In the second half, we started well, but our energy started to fade. We can’t compare FC Porto’s substitutions with ours. But I’m satisfied with what I saw, with the mentality and the effort. And most importantly, the idea of what I want for the team was there.
Fatigue weighed in at the end: “It’s as if you’re writing a book and on the other side it’s Hemingway who’s writing a book. We can’t compare. I’ve been to a big club and when we have that kind of players on the bench, like FC Porto does, things become totally different. But it was positive that we got young players from our youth team to play, like PatrÃcio or Samuel. We won and lost in every situation. We tried to keep things positive.”
Importance of continuity in the project: “Continuity and stability are always good. It’s always easier when the coach is here for the second year, also for the players, who are more adapted to the ideas and know what I want from them. But we miss players who were here last year. We need players who come and give us the level and energy that we lacked in the second half.”
The team made no fouls in the first half: “We are a very physical team, who want to press high and win duels, regardless of the opponent. We want to have the courage to face any opponent. That’s my philosophy and how I want to see the team play. When you’re brave, luck follows you. Today it wasn’t with us, but I’m sure that, if we continue like this, we’ll start to score points. That’s what we want to do in the next game.”
