FC Porto is in the lead of Group D of the Champions League, with 10 points, after beating Lokomotiv Moscow again, this time at Estádio do Dragão (4-1). With two matchdays left in the group stage, the blue and white team only needs one point to assure the qualification to the Round of 16.

Sérgio Conceição was pleased with the display of strength FC Porto gave in the Champions League, in a balanced group. The blue and white coach believes the Dragons gave a good response in front of a team that needed a positive result to keep dreaming of the competition.

Difficult match as expected
“I was expecting this to be a difficult match, like I said in the press conference, as they wanted to win the match, to grab on to the last hope of staying in the fight for the next stage.”

Strong start
“We started strong, scored an early goal, against a team that was more afraid of conceding than willingness to attack. Despite the adverse weather conditions, we tried to somehow set our game and remain in their midfield; we created situations and made it 2-0. I believe it was a good first-half, even if we did concede one or two counter-attacks, as our defensive balance wasn’t as good as usual. I warned about that during halftime.”

Good victory for FC Porto
“Lokomotiv improved with Farfán at halftime, gaining offensive power. Before their goal, Corona hit the post, but they made it 2-1 during their best phase in the match. Still, we had the match under control and, after the 3-1, we had full control. Even if it wasn’t a brilliant match, especially for the weather conditions, it was a good victory for our team.”

Compliments from the coach to the players
“This display of strength in the Champions League is important. It’s not easy to face the Russian champion. We have 10 points now and need one more to qualify to the Round of 16. When we tied the first match, I heard commentators saying that Schalke was weaker than Qarabag, which is complete non-sense. I want to praise these players, not just for the championship, where we are at our level again, but also for this display of strength we gave in the Champions League.”