Despite regretting the missed goals, Sérgio Conceição was a pleased coach after FC Porto's victory over Vitória SC (1-0), in Guimarães, in the 1st leg of the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup. The 2nd leg is scheduled for April 17 (Wednesday), at 20h15, at Estádio do Dragão. The winner of the round will face Sporting in the final of the Portuguese Cup, which is played at Estádio do Jamor (May 26).

The match analysis
"Within our defensive process, it was important to pay attention to some of Vitória de Guimarães’ weapons. In that regard, we didn’t let them play that much. It was a competitive game between two teams who feel that these two legs mean the qualification to a final. The game today had this competitiveness and this aggressiveness between two opponents who know each other well. Within this competitive game, we were always on top and had more opportunities to score. Bruno Varela had an excellent performance, but we could and should have scored one or two more goals. We will start the second 90 minutes with a 1-0 lead and this guarantees nothing, quite the opposite. We can and should have been more aggressive in the finishing zones, but there is always something to improve in every game.”

Jorge Sánchez in the starting team
“All of our decisions are made when we look at the opponent, the players we have available, and the strategy. He has also been training very well, I thought that today Jorge Sánchez deserved the opportunity. In my opinion, he played an excellent game.”

Mehdi Taremi out
“He has a contract until June and until June he is a FC Porto player, so I count on him. There is no controversy. It's a matter of being fit and showing quality at work. I believe he can still help us this season, as he is a player with a lot of quality.”

More on Sunday, at home
“All games are different and have different stories. It will depend on how we look at it, whether we want to apply more pressure or not, what we want to do with the ball, etc. There are always things that you learn from every game, but it's part of our job. Next Sunday we will have a game against the same opponent, but with different moments within the game itself.”

In the lead for the second leg
“Theoretically, 1-0 is a dangerous score if we are not aware that we have a competent Vitória de Guimarães to face. And the reality is that we are only one goal ahead. If we are aware that we have 90 something minutes to play against an opponent who is having an excellent season, then things can become easier within a difficult game. I have a humble and hard-working group that accepts our message. There is plenty of humbleness in our locker room. We are looking for the titles that we can win and winning the Portuguese cup is an objective.”