"An important victory", a return "to normal outcomes" in a "difficult" game in which the team created "many situations close to the area", the players interpreted "very well" what "was worked on" in Olival in "some moments" and there was "little offensive effectiveness". Sérgio Conceição analysed the "deserved" victory in matchday 30 (2-1), a game with "a difficult preparation" due to injuries in the squad, just before the classic against Sporting. The coach disregarded the importance of Sunday's match, as the championship "is a marathon, a test of continuity, and this is what big clubs live for": "We had a great victory against Benfica at home and failed to continue it".

The match analysis
“It was an important victory, we returned to our normal outcomes. We knew we were going to have a tough game against a team that created difficulties to the rivals fighting for the same objectives as us. We were aware of what we had to do. We started the game well, we could have created more situations by exploring the depth, but not in a direct way. The goal is a good example of what was worked on and interpreted very well by the players at times. Once again, in their first shot, the opponent scored. In the final part of the first half, there was some nerves, we lost our balance, but I think we always controlled the match, even in the second half, and we only had to finish our plays. I see the team creating a lot of situations in the last third and this year we are to blame for not being effective enough.”

The offensive effectiveness
“It's one of the years when we create more goals situations, we have virtuous and creative players, we get to the last third with style, but it's not easy. When doing our analysis after the matches, players understand that the decisions should have been different. It was a competitive game, congratulations to Casa Pia, who is having an interesting season. A well-deserved victory, we were the team with more possession, more shots and more occasions.”

The doubts before the match
"We had many players with physical issues, Pepe played with limitations, Francisco had blood on his backheel, it was a difficult preparation in this sense."

The importance of consistency in the League
“We don't dwell in such games. We have to be consistent and not think that we need to take a stand because we’re facing Sporting, Benfica or SC Braga. We had a great victory against Benfica at home and then we didn’t follow up on it. This is a marathon, a test of consistency and that's what big clubs live for. In the end, the points we lose to the not-so-great teams make a difference and we didn't do so well in that regard.”