FC Porto lost to Liverpool (2-0), in Anfield Road, for the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. At the end of the match, coach Sérgio Conceição regretted the lack of luck in the first goal and the mistake made in the second, but revealed he believes the strategy used was the right one and that the team could have scored. The blue and white coach also promised an ambitious FC Porto for the second leg, scheduled for April 17, at Estádio do Dragão.

Right strategy
“We have to play next week and see what happens. We had opportunities to score. We were facing a team with strong individuals, in the attack and the defence, and strong as a team. We prepared a different team because we knew they would play deep, something they are very strong at. Their midfield is also powerful, but our team controlled the spaces well. We did well on the defence, and we had two or three goal opportunities in the first-half. There was also an issue with a penalty, but I’m not talking of refereeing.”

Duo Felipe-Militão
“We prepared them in Portugal, they did a good job, and it’s nice to have options in the centre, to face the runs of Maná and Salah. We tried to stop their offensive processes and we did well in that regard. We could have held the ball more.”

Luck and mistakes
“Liverpool was fortunate in the first goal. We made a mistake in the second goal. In the second-half, the team was closer and tried to create more danger in front of goal. A goal would have been deserved.”

The second part of the match still to go
“We are halfway through the round.  90 minutes are over, but there are 90 more minutes at Estádio do Dragão. We will do all we can to reduce the distance. We are eager for the next match.”