Sérgio Conceição admits that beating an opponent in the fight for the title, at their home, is important. However, the blue and white coach doesn’t want any hysteria over this victory, against Benfica, choosing to remain focused on the last four matchdays. For now, in fact, the team will think of the second leg of the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup, against Sporting.

Match analysis
“It was a balanced match. A great match, not exactly spectacular, but extremely competitive. Benfica is strong, especially in the first-halves. We knew this. They had one or two situations and so did we. The second-half belonged completely to us. I can’t remember a single danger situation on our goal. I remember the chance with Brahimi, then Marega, and then Herrera scored. The result was fair. We won this match, but we haven’t won anything so far.”

Looking for victory
“The substitutions made always aimed at giving something more to the team in terms of attack. Each coach sees the match the way they want. If we hadn’t scored, if Benfica had scored, people would be saying right now that Rui Vitória had decided well. There is a moment in the match, around 75 minutes in, when I had to decide on replacing Sérgio, who had already been shown a yellow card. The first substitution was caused by that, the other two were clearly to try to win the match.”

Play contested by the opponent
“I didn’t see anything. I think the VAR felt the same. They analysed it, the referee and then the VAR, and, in this case, I agree with them.”

About the strategy for the match
“We knew it was important to balance the match. Our team always creates plays, goal situations in our offensive process. I didn’t think only of organizing the defence. The base to win, especially against a strong opponent, is defensive cohesion. But we didn’t came here to defend. I saw a cohesive team, mature, strong on the attack. That’s how, in one of those plays, we were able to score.”

The numbers for the title
“One thing is guaranteed: in the past three or four weeks, we felt the bitter taste of not winning two matches we wanted to win. But we’ve won nothing so far. We’re going to think of Wednesday’s match, for the Portuguese Cup, and, after that, on the match against Vitória de Setúbal, which will have the same points to fight for as this one. Winning three points and stopping the opponent from getting them is always positive, but there is still a lot to play for.”

On the fairness of the table
“Justice is measured in results. We are in the lead, but we haven’t won anything yet. We had two matches we failed to win. The message is this: respect for the opponents, as we haven’t won anything yet, we haven’t achieved anything yet. The recent past keeps us on our toes, and alert for the last four matchdays.”

Congratulations to Héctor Herrera
“I had the chance to tell this story before. Before I joined the club, and, knowing FC Porto, I asked myself why was a Mexican player the team captain; but then I started working with him and I understood why, as he is a great professional. He was linked to one or two less positive moments, but he is an extraordinary man, a wonderful professional, and he creates a great mood. He is a true captain and I am happy for him.”