FC Porto is alone in the lead of the League, on condition, after beating Santa Clara (2-0) in the Azores on Friday in the match that opened matchday 2. After the second victory in two games in the main national competition, Vítor Bruno praised the way the Dragons untied “the match” during the initial stage, but believes they should have “had a different type of control and a more vertical game” in the second half. “We were not very sharp in the second half, but the result is perfectly fair against a very difficult opponent”, the coach added.

Match analysis
“Traditionally it's always a difficult stadium. We were faced with a team that started the season well and showed an unusual ability to turn results. We untied the match throughout the game and had a strong mindset to compete, especially in the first half. Then we had to deal with the pitch, the heat … The players had a remarkable mentality and a great desire to win. Santa Clara will make life difficult for whoever comes here to play and today even had the first great opportunity, but then we scored the first goal and shortly after the second. I didn't like the second half. It is understandable, but not acceptable. Against 10 players, we should have had another type of control and a more vertical game, without losing identity. We weren't very sharp in the second half, but the result is perfectly fair against a very difficult opponent.”

The substitutions made
“It was not in the sense of agitating, but of controlling. André Franco has good control of the ball and Eustáquio is good at finding spaces that could expose some of Santa Clara's defensive weaknesses, especially playing with 10. When we sent in Pepê, we wanted to introduce speed and flair. Today, those who went in from the bench didn’t add as much as in the other games, but this is not criticism. The game was difficult for several reasons and they are factors that create difficulties.”

Vasco Sousa and Fran Navarro in the starting team
“During the week they give me proof that they can play. No one is guaranteed in the starting team and no one is guaranteed to play. Through the work week and for strategic reasons, I felt  that Vasco and Fran could be important in this game.”

Danny Namaso in the wing
“Namaso has put on good displays, he is very vertical in the game, even if today he didn’t have as many of the movements we intended. He holds the ball tightly and allows the team to breathe when he has the ball. Today went well, but there are games when it doesn’t happen. The game was fair and ehe best team won against a tough opponent.”