Danilo Pereira arrived at Olival this Wednesday to start working. The midfielder only ended the season on June 9, when he helped the national squad win the final of the Nations League, at Estádio do Dragão. After training with the blue and white group for the first time in pre-season 2019/20, the Portuguese international talked to Porto Canal about the objectives of the team. Danilo is starting his fifth season at the club, with a record of 159 matches played for FC Porto.

Good feelings on the return
“After two extra days of rest in comparison to my teammates, it’s always nice to rejoin the group. The feelings are good; I found a highly motivated group, with many new faces, from the youth squads, which is also important. Now is the time to work, as we will soon fight for very important competitions.”

Well-prepared for season 2019/20
“Since the arrival of Sérgio Conceição, we have been having great pre-seasons, both physically and mentally. This pre-season will be the same. We need to be prepared for what’s coming. With this spirit and belief, we will be on top.”

More responsibility in the group?
“I always have responsibility. I know how important I am in the group, and I always try to help the newcomers, the youngest, as usually happens at this time of the year, with the youth players. That’s the responsibility, to help integrate those who are arriving, and it’s not just my responsibility, but also that of everyone.”

Message to the fans
“It’s a message of ambition. We have to be ambitious to be prepared for what’s coming. Together, we always go further and that’s what I expect from the fans: that they trust us and give us that strength.”