FC Porto matched Sporting at the top of the League after beating Casa Pia (3-1) at Estádio do Dragão on Saturday, for matchday 13 of the competition. After “a good game” from the team he leads, Sérgio Conceição congratulated the players and only regretted the goal conceded. “We remain focused on our work and one our main goal, which is to regain the championship”, added the coach with the most titles in the club's history. The next matchday brings a classic match between Sporting and FC Porto, in Alvalade, with both teams at 31 points.

Match analysis
“The players feel the club. When I gave that warning after the last match, it was more to warn the troops that we have to be on high alert every day, with maximum dedication and maximum focus on work. Congratulations to the team and the players, as we played a good game. We went in strong and pressing, with quality in our dynamics with the ball and reaching the last third several times. In the second half, we continued what we were doing, we made it 2-0 and then 3-0, but an individual mistake cost us a clean sheet. These situations happen and we have to correct them. We weren’t the worst yesterday and we’re not the best today. We remain focused on our work and on our main goal, which is to regain the championship.”

Pepe and Zé Pedro on the centre of the defence
“It comes from work, from the preparation for the game and the strategy set. Apart from the injured, everyone is available to work and be a solution depending on the games and the opponents. In the defence, the left central defender and the left fullback come from the B team, while the 40-year-old Pepe continues to offer tremendous quality. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are aware that we can give positive replies in the different competitions we are fighting for.”

Zé Pedro in the starting team
“There are no hierarchies, the players go in according to the strategy set for the game. If players are 17 or 37 years old is exactly the same for me. Work and strategy for the game are all that matter.”

Shared leadership with Sporting
“This is a long race, so the important thing is that we are first in May. We are still looking for solidity and want to stumble as little as possible to be in the lead when May comes.”

The decisive match against Shakhtar Donetsk is coming
“Wednesday's game is very important for us and for those who represent this club. Now we will focus on resting and tomorrow we start preparing the game against Shakhtar Donetsk.”