According to Sérgio Conceição, starting 2018/19 with the status of national champion brings “extra responsibility” to FC Porto, but it’s in the DNA of the Dragon to fight for every title. On his first statement after the opening training session of the new season, held at Olival, with 24 players, the blue and white coach was open about the “feeling of great ambition” he sees in the squad, and believes that, in this new season, the national champions will be the “team to beat”.

Good feelings
“This first day went well. It went as expected, similar to what happened last year, in terms of feelings. There is a feeling of great ambition and great responsibility, was we know we will be starting as national champions, and that adds extra responsibility. To be in FC Porto means to always have this obligation, of fighting for every competition. We are aware of that.”

The team determines the daily work
“It’s never the same. There are always different situations, but that is part of our work. The base and the work dynamics remain, but there is one or another different player, so our daily work is always changed depending on what the team needs.”

In the fight for titles
“We are prepared for a difficult season and we will surely be the team to beat. Last year, we had a great season, but we can do even better this season. We have different objectives, and that’s what we will be working for, as we have since I joined the club.”