Blue and white coach did the preview of the match against Liverpool, for the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League, scheduled for Tuesday, in Anfield Road (20h00)


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This Tuesday, FC Porto faces Liverpool, for the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Champions League, in Anfield Road (20h00, TVI). At the preview of the match, coach Sérgio Conceição praised the English team, but assured that his team thinks only of winning, making it clear that the difference in budget between both clubs may be insignificant on the pitch.

Alex Telles
“I don’t know if he will play. He feels better, but we still don’t know if he is fit to play.”

Herrera out
“I think there are two important situations: the way we look at Liverpool and the competitive context they are in. Every week, Liverpool has matches of the highest level. As for us, it’s not exactly the same, but we can match that intensity, not for the competition we play in, but because that’s our identity. Another thing is the strategy for the match and absences have their toll there. As we realise the context and the absences, we need to be smart and creative. What matters is our dynamics; I know this is a cliché in football, but it’s true. Everything depends on the dynamics created according to the individual characteristics of the players: it matters to define how to attack, what to do when you don’t have the ball, that’s more important than to know what pieces to use.”

Possible changes thinking of the rematch?
“That question has been coming up a lot and people keep asking about revenge. This is a football match, every match has its story and no result can change our path. Last year, we didn’t do what we could have done and the opponent was very efficient in the way they played. In 16 matches for the League at home, they tied two, against Man. City and Leicester, and last season they reached the final of the Champions League. We know about the difference in millions, but our millions are the work we do every day and how we prepare for each match. The value of a team isn’t measured by its budget. A good example is Militão, who came for a value significantly lower than the one that is taking him from us. This competition adds value to the players. The opportunity life gives us is fantastic. We have been working with seriousness and commitment to have the opportunity of being in this competition, the best in Europe and the World. We have to enjoy this challenge with responsibility.”

Importance of Pepe and Herrera
“They were the ones asking to come, they deeply feel this moment and the chairman allowed them to come. It’s very important to have them with us, for the experience they bring. Both of them are captains.”

Pepe’s ambition in the Champions League
“Pepe is very ambitious, we all are. But there’s that funny story about the kid that wanted to learn a lot and quickly. His hastiness harmed him as he looked more at the destination than at the path. What matters is the moment, what we have to do tomorrow. After that, we will, but we have to take one step at a time.”

Thinking of the final
“I’ve already thought of the final, but our focus in on the moment and on tomorrow’s match. We have to understand the competition, the opponent, and prepare this match in the best possible way. We hope that, after this match, we can get a positive result that will allow us to fight for the round at Estádio do Dragão.”

Klopp’s statements
“I heard what Klopp said, he has an above average communication department. He did a great conference. I don’t think anyone wanted to face Liverpool, it wasn’t just FC Porto. I think he was nice after what happened last year.”


The victory is possible
“I don’t dream, I think it’s possible to win here tomorrow, and that’s how we prepared the match. You have to work hard, go through different moment, we won’t have the ball at times, we will be under pressure, we will have to deal with quick transitions, and when we are attacking, we need to keep an eye when we lose the ball. If we understand the different moments and stick to the identity of the team, I don’t think we will run into problems.”