Sérgio Conceição stated that FC Porto is motivated and determined to assure the three points in the last matchday of the group stage of the Champions League, against Galatasaray. Talking in press conference, the coach talked of the importance of dignifying the history of the club in the competition.

Managing the team
“The management of the team is made according to the matches we’ve played so far, and to this or that physical problem you sometimes don’t know. I picked the players that gave me the best guarantees to win the match tomorrow.”

Performance in the Champions League
“We knew this was an extremely difficult group, for the balance and the quality of the teams, as we were facing the Russian champion, the Turkish champion and the German vice-champion. We knew that the matches at home and the two matchday in a row against Lokomotiv would be very important to secure the qualification. We were able to win the group, but what we did was worthy of FC Porto. We are the club with the most participations in the Champions League, along with two other powerful clubs, and FC Porto is an historical club in Europe and the World. We did what we had to do, and we need to confirm it tomorrow, so we can be fully pleased with our performance.”

16 points as a player in 1996/97
“Every day that I walk into Olival to work are special to me. Representing this club is special and it’s the same to do it in the Champions League. The players will give their best to win the match and to represent FC Porto at the highest level in the Champions League. At the time, as a player, I was happy with the 16 points. As a coach, the situation is different, but the feeling is the same.”

Expecting difficulties
“Galatasaray played a competent match at Estádio do Dragão, perhaps the hardest we’ve had. That’s what I’m expecting tomorrow, a difficult setting, but it’s the kind of setting I like. I like the thrill and I feel welcome in these difficult settings.”

Two months until the Round of 16
“That pause until the Round of 16 was never addressed in the coaching forums I took part of. Two months from now, the teams will be in a different form, but it’s up to us to be in the best possible form when that stage comes. That’s where the best clubs in Europe are and it will be important to be at a high level.”

Play a competitive match and win
“Galatasaray will have to go in aiming at a victory, so that they don’t depend on the other match. The individual quality is there, they are an experienced team, they know what they are doing, what the game needs in every moment. Like I said before, they may have been the team that posed the most difficulties. The fans will give tremendous strength to the team, but we are prepared for the difficulties, and we want to present a competitive team to play a good match and win. Each match has its own story. This is a decisive match for Galatasaray and for us as well, as we are representing this club. At FC Porto, every match, every moment must be decisive for us as well.”