Sérgio Conceição was a happy coach after the classic opposing Benfica and FC Porto, which ended with the blue and white victory at Estádio da Luz, 2-0, for matchday of Liga NOS. The blue and white praised the way his team behaved on the pitch, but also reminded that, while the three points are important, they are not decisive. Next there’s a home match against Vitória de Guimarães, at Estádio do Dragão (Sunday, September 1, 18h30).

The usual difficulties
“It was a complicated match at the home on an historic rival. We knew this, but we had a great week, with fantastic signs. The confidence we had wasn’t a bluff. We started well, aggressively, applying pressure as soon as they tried to create plays. We took our spaces well and always kept our positioning, as we never allowed Benfica to reach our goal with danger. In the first-half, we had opportunities to score more than one goal. If the finishing was better, we would have reached a different result. It was an important match, but we have another one at home, against Vitória de Guimarães. Last season, we lost those three points.”

The defeats before a magnificent performance
“The match in Barcelos came after the match in Russia and we didn’t do well in that match. We could have and should have done much more, but I don’t want to go into excuses. I had to do some rotation and that match was a blow for the team. Against Krasnodar, we had a mediocre first-half, but we were also unlucky. Here at Estádio da Luz, we played our best match this season and perhaps our best at their home. Only a great FC Porto could win this match against Benfica. We played with tremendous quality. We weren’t the worst team yesterday, but we aren’t the best either today.”

The fight for the title
“This championship has the three historical contenders fighting for the title, as always. In the last years, Sporting de Braga joined those three and I also see Vitória de Guimarães has a great team, doing good performances. This is just starting. Last season, we were some points ahead and we lost. This victory only means something if we beat Vitória de Guimarães and so on. These are three important points, but not decisive.”