It was a great FC Porto that played in Seville. The Dragons dominated the millionaire Chelsea for 180 minutes and it took two mistakes made in the first leg of the quarter-finals to be out of the Champions League. At the end of the match against the English team, which the blue and whites won 1-0, Sérgio Conceição praised the “great quality” and the “great competence” of the players, who played a “fantastic match”, respecting the “strategy set”, only missing in terms of “offensive efficiency”. “This was one of the best matches FC Porto played in European competitions since we joined the club. If it wasn’t the best, it was close. I’m disappointed in the result, but very proud of what we did in the two matches. We were better than Chelsea, and this round was decided in details. Our path was fantastic and we were only eliminated from the Champions League in April”, the blue and white coach added.

The resume of the match and of the round
“Briefly, they scored two goals and we scored one. It’s not that we didn’t have any chances and it’s not that we weren’t more competent, we just lacked offensive efficiency. The team played a fantastic match and was great in the way they interpreted and followed the strategy set, not allowing Chelsea to create danger. You have to remember that this is the quarter-finals of the Champions League and that we faced players of the highest level. In terms of defensive organization, we were extremely competent against a very capable opponent. I am extremely proud of the players, of the group, and of the way they believe in what we work on. With this coaching staff, this was one of the best matches FC Porto played in European competitions. If it wasn’t the best, it was close. I’m disappointed in the result, but very proud of what we did in the two matches. We were better than Chelsea, and this round was decided in details. Our path was fantastic and we were only eliminated from the Champions League in April. We deserved to qualify because we were a better team than Chelsea.”

The goal that came too late
“We could have scored earlier. It’s true that we didn’t create many clear goal opportunities, because Chelsea defended well and defended with many players, but we had situations to score. On the other hand, we never really have a dangerous situation near our area, except for one shot in stoppage time. This shows the great quality and great competence of my players. I’m extremely proud of the match we played.”

The insults from the opposing coach
“My English isn’t perfect and there is no point in talking about it here, but I was insulted by Thomas Tuchel. I didn’t say a word to him, so I don’t understand the reaction. I never said a word to him during the match.”

More needs to be done for Portuguese teams in European competitions
“I’m not happy, but I am proud. We deserved more, because the players were true champions. Some players faced the Champions League for the first time and sent in many boys here who make me proud. The future of FC Porto is to be as competitive as we were in this Champions League, but we need to do more for the Portuguese teams that play in these competitions, so that the Champions League doesn’t end in April, but in May for us. To be better and more competitive in Europe, we need more from many people and everyone needs to contribute for that to happen. Only those who follow us knew we were coming to play the match and fight for the round. FC Porto isn’t valued, as we saw today on some newspaper covers. We were better than Chelsea, but the weapons are different. If we don’t contribute to have a Portuguese team involved in a different context... It’s important to reflect on this. FC Porto gave a huge contribution to have three Portuguese teams in the best club competition in the world next season, and that brings a lot of money to our country. People need to think of what they do and they need to do more for the Portuguese teams that are in the best club competition in the world.”

Absolute focus on the fight for the championship
“As you saw today, we are strong and we are a competitive team. We will fight until the end for our most important goal, which is the championship.”