One point is enough for FC Porto to qualify to the Round of 16 of the Champions League, but Sérgio Conceição and players want to beat Schalke and guarantee the lead of Group D. At the preview of the match against the German vice-champion, for matchday 5, the blue and white coach talked of the difficulties in playing in a competition like this, but believes in the work and quality of his team to win every match at home in this edition of the Champions League. With two matchdays left to play, FC Porto is the leader, with ten points, two more than Schalke and six more than Galatasaray.

Compliments to the opponent
“The German championship might just be the most competitive in the World and we know that Schalke has been improving. They are a strong team, with a tactic that is slightly different from usual, and creates difficulties to the opponent. They know what they want, and are very objective. I dare to say that this is the hardest match in the group stage, but we are prepared. For us, this is a challenge as to how we are going to look at this match strategically speaking, trying to exploit their fragilities and condition their weapons. After our match in Germany, I heard someone say that Schalke was weaker than Qarabag, but it’s usual for people to try to undermine the achievements of FC Porto, and that is something that annoys me. We have a strong and balanced group, even if we didn’t get one of the sharks, so to speak. It might actually be easier to qualify in a group that has one shark and two dolphins. We have a balanced group, and those are harder to overcome.”

The usual goal: winning
“We look at every match with the same goal: getting the three points and put on a good performance. A victory will allow us to end the group stage in the lead and we know how important that is, but we are not under pressure at all. We don’t think of the “what ifs?” in football. What matters is what we control, which is our performance. Statistics count for nothing. We are only focused on tomorrow’s match and on winning the three points. We worked and prepared for the match to win it.”

The secret of FC Porto
“That secret is work and dedication from the players, it’s understanding the message and what it means to represent a club as FC Porto. Sometimes, it’s good to reach rock bottom, and for us that meant, for example, to lose at Estádio da Luz, so we can see what we can gain from that. And that’s talking less and working harder. It’s being dedicated every day. With that, things come naturally. There is no magic trick, only work and seriousness. Like Óliver said, it doesn’t matter if he plays zero, 60 or 90 minutes, he will support the team. That’s very important, as that’s a common feeling to everyone in the group. We have a strong squad. There is an acceptance and respect for one another and for the coaches.”

Many and good options
“We have more solutions and that makes us pleased. Everyone is fit, with the exception of Aboubakar and the players that, for this or that reason, were left out of the UEFA registration. I am happy for that, it pleases me, but that’s my job, to decide who is better and, sometimes, that means picking the players that give me the most guarantees to face a specific opponent.”