Coach Daniel Sousa said this Saturday that he expected an FC Porto with the “injured pride” of the defeat in the Champions League and wished for a Gil Vicente with “personality” at Dragão, on matchday 22 of the 1st Soccer League.
The Barcelos team comes from a draw at home with Vizela (1-1) and FC Porto from a defeat in the Champions League, against Inter, in Milan (1-0), on Wednesday.
In the previous press conference, Daniel Sousa recalled that this defeat interrupted “a campaign of 22 games without losing” for the Porto players.
“They come with a bit of pride, they are going to have a stadium loving them because they did a performance that deserves that love, really. I see a very complete FC Porto, they have a very objective style of play, with greater variability compared to the past, which makes the opponents very difficult”, he said.
The Minho coach guaranteed a Gil Vicente with “the same way of being”, with “personality” and that “nothing will change” against an FC Porto that, in its bulwark, for the championship, has nine victories in 10 games (only one defeat, against Benfica, 1-0), in addition to having the best defense in the league (12 goals conceded) and also at home (five).
“It’s an impressive record, not only in wins, but also in goals scored and conceded, and that makes it a bit more difficult for us. We have to be at our best, the opportunities we have, we have to take advantage of. and we cannot grant the minimum. In the League Cup, we conceded a goal after two minutes, due to a lack of concentration, which is one of the things that, against a team like FC Porto, we cannot concede,” he said.
About two months ago, the gilistas played in ‘Dragão’, but in the League Cup, having been defeated 2-0.
“They are completely different parties. We see this as another very difficult match, because of the rival and because he is out, but the way to prepare and the objectives are always the same. We expect a very difficult match, since everyone has been at this stage because the points are ‘expensive'”, said Daniel Sousa.
Krticiuk and Ali Alipour, injured, Vitor Carvalho, suspended, and Carraça, on loan from the ‘dragons’, are left out, but these impediments of important players do not worry the coach.
“We’ve had casualties since I’ve been here and when we played against FC Porto for the League Cup we also had four casualties. The one who is not having opportunities has to show that he is prepared to have them and whoever has had them called has shown competence, “he said.
Daniel Sousa has already worked for FC Porto as an analyst and acknowledged that he is “very proud” of that past, but said he wants to create “special memories” now at Gil Vicente.
Gil Vicente, 14th ranked, with 23 points, and FC Porto, second, with 51, will face each other starting at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, at the Estádio do Dragão, in Porto, a match that will be refereed by Rui Costa, from the association port.
Source: TSF
