Sérgio Conceição analysed the victory over Arouca (3-0), stating that the team had “a consistent performance in front of a lively crowd, in constant interaction with the players”. After talking about Marcano, “a central defender who plays well on the left and has technic”, and Otávio, “an important element” for the team, the blue and white coach made it clear that his decisions “are based on training sessions and on what the players give, depending on what the week has been”. Finally, on the debut of the most recent reinforcement of the team, Wendell, the blue and white leader said: “Wendell just arrived, is getting to know the club, his teammates, the dynamics of the team, and he will go in when I think he deserves to go in, like everyone else”.

Match analysis
“We were very safe in Madeira, we allowed one shot that gave them the goal, and this consistency we had in Madeira was the reason why I sent in the same team, to continue what we have been doing. We did an excellent pre-season in terms of preparing solutions to be competitive. We beat a competent team, which was always organized, it was a good game for the players who started the match and for the ones who went in. All the players are important, we are finishing a period that is crucial in terms of stability for everyone, and I hope it ends as soon as possible. In terms of attacking, we created many situations near the area, we created some real scoring opportunities, we were effective, we could have scored one or two more goals, against an organized team, as it was up to us to find the spaces to exploit the weaknesses we knew we could. It was a consistent performance in front of a lively crowd and with a constant interaction with the players, which pleases me.”

Another consistent performance from Marcano 
“Marcano, in Madeira, also went up, he is one of the most resilient players in the squad, we can’t forget who we have in the team that allows for some nuances to our game, with him remaining lower, Luís more open, it has everything to do with what the weekly work is. Marcano can also be important moving up with the ball, he’s playing on the left and giving a good response, the others have other characteristics and, we form a strong team from the individualities, with a base of principles that make up the team. He is a central defender who plays well on the left, he has quality.

Otávio in the starting team after a week under the medical staff 
“Otávio, it’s true that he missed some training sessions, but that’s not a concern at the moment, he didn’t miss anything, he followed the preparation for Arouca, he just had to feel well; the exam didn’t show any injury that could get worse, he was fit for the match, he’s in the team and he’s an important element.”

The decisions in the call-up and during the match
“My decisions are based on training and on what the players give, depending on what has been the week and what the match in Madeira showed me, I opted for other players. Vitinha, in terms of current form, is better than Sérgio and that’s why he went in. Sérgio has been working with me for five years, just as Corona is part of this four-year journey at FC Porto, and they are important for the team. Bruno Costa had a yellow card, he had already made one or two fouls, I thought Vitinha could give me what I wanted from the game, as he is working very well and deserved to go in. They can’t all play, but we want a competitive group and it has nothing to do with the market, it has to do with our daily work."

The international stoppage ahead
“I like the pressure of the game, the pressure of preparing for the games, I don’t really like these stoppages, but it is natural that we have many players in the national teams, we have to look at this with some concern, considering the proximity of these international games to our games and the trips they have to make. We can’t give that as an excuse, but it’s not easy for them to quickly change the mentality.” 

Wendell’s debut
“No one is permanently in the starting team here, this is a squad with the players fighting for their place every day. Wendell just arrived, is getting to know the club, his teammates, the dynamics of the team, and he will go in when I think he deserves to go in, like everyone else.”