Sérgio Conceição has no doubts that FC Porto will give a good response in the derby against Boavista, for matchday 27 of Liga NOS. At the press conference that previewed the match on Saturday, at Estádio do Dragão, the coach assured the team is already over the defeat in Paços de Ferreira and knows what needs to be done to overcome a “difficult” opponent.

On the controversy that was seen in the last matchday, the coach again referred to it as regretful, given the lack of fairplay shown by the home team, explaining that he didn’t shake hands with the opposing coach as he didn’t want to.

Sérgio Conceição can now count on captain Herrera, who was banned from Mata Real, but there are four players that will likely be out, as they are still injured. Alex Telles, Danilo and Marega are out, he assured, while it will be difficult to count on Soares for Saturday.

The demand of the derby
“The derby will force the team to be what they already were before the match against Paços. We remained true to the principles we work, and we will face a difficult opponent. We had a week to prepare for this and I believe we will surely give a good response. I want to take the opportunity to thank the fans, as I know the stadium will be almost sold-out, in another display of trust.”

The week after the defeat
“We had a difficult match, different, but we are fully aware of what we need to do tomorrow to get the three points. That’s what we worked on all week.”

The differences with the match in Paços de Ferreira
“We hope it’s different from the last match. Starting by the weather, the pitch and the conditions in which we played. Every match has its history. As for the players we are facing, it’s not a player that can the dynamics and the principles of the team. Obviously, the team also needs to realise whose playing and what they can do."

The past and the controversy with Paços’ coach
“I’m used to it. But it’s hard for my kids and family. It is one thing to criticize, but people are hiding behind a fake name or picture in a social network and say anything. They dug out the past. They used one of my conferences from when I coach Académica, after a match we tied in Alvalade. In that match, Académica was great on the defence, in a low block, and there was plenty of fairplay. It had nothing to do with what happened in Paços de Ferreira. Each coach has his own strategy, like I’ve said. I never criticized that. I coached in Guimarães, Braga and Académica, all proudly. That match is on record, check the play time. Look at the play time of a Olhanense-Benfica where Jorge Jesus said there was no fairplay. What he meant is that Olhanense played lower, from the back. Nothing like what happened last weekend, in Paços de Ferreira. And everyone is offended that I didn’t shake hands with João Henriques? Now I see how many fans Paços has. I acted according to what I saw from the dugout, and I didn’t felt like shaking his hand. I’m not a hypocrite, fake. Just because a team has a budget of three million and the other 60, fairplay can be forgotten? Someone poor is allowed to steal? Are we going to excuse a coach telling his team to cheat?"

Alex Telles is out, Soares will be difficult
“We are still going to see that tomorrow, but it will be difficult. After this match and the stoppage, I expect to have more solutions. Alex is out, Soares will be difficult. Herrera is called, but I’m not telling you the team.”

The importance and the moment of the match
“It’s the most important match of the season, because it’s the next one. For what this means and for the 15 days the championship pauses after it, tomorrow’s match is vital. It’s three points we are focused on getting. We know Boavista hasn’t been fortunate at home, but they will pose difficulties. We are keeping an eye on it and we know what to do.”

Brahimi taking the penalty and José Sá being sent-off
“Sérgio was going to take it, but neither he nor Brahimi are to blame. At halftime, I talked to Sérgio, but he became nervous. I wouldn’t have done it today. I apologise for that, and I also make mistakes. The next penalty will be taken by Sérgio. I feel I shouldn’t have said it, so it’s my fault. As for José Sá being sent-off, I was there, I heard him congratulate the referee... I did the same. Between what José Sá said and what the opposing goalkeeper did during the match... that should have been a red card. That was worse than any protest.”

The table with eight matches to go
“I never mentioned anyone as favourite. It’s important to be ahead, but there are many points to fight for, and I don’t see anyone having any advantage. Every week, there will be a fight we want to win. We want to end the championship with one more point than the opponent. All three candidates will lose points. There are classics and derbies, but every match awards three points.”

Fernando Santos and the national squad
“I don’t want to interfere with that. I can’t say a word. We are talking of a coach that won the European Championship and he knows what he is doing. Would I call the same team? Maybe not. But I respect his decisions.”