FCP logo

Vítor Bruno praised the team that “did everything they were asked for” and considered the tie (3-3) “unfair”

What happened at Estádio do Dragão – the tie (3-3) against Manchester United – “is football”, Vítor Bruno he began by explaining after, then saying he is a coach “very proud” of the players he commands because “they were brave and courageous”: “The team never lost unity, it was always whole. These are hiccups that are part of growing up”.

The difficulties felt in the first 45 minutes led the coach to change “the way the team was defending” and the squad reacted “perfectly”, facing players that are “talented, with a lot of inspiration, physically strong and who had the happiness of the game”. “Today, it went to them, sometimes it happens to us, it’s football”, the coach regretted, also stressing the pride he felt by the blue and white response “in an adverse context and against a very strong opponent”.

Pride intact
“It's football. We did the hardest thing. We started the game well with two plays next to Manchester's goal, but then we conceded two goals. The players' commitment was clear, the belief, that nothing is lost here. We did the hardest, we made the game 3-2, we had a clear play to make it 4-2, the best opportunities in the game were ours. But, as we didn’t seal the game, they scored and it is an unfair result for what happened, for the way the players were brave and courageous. The team never lost unity, it was always whole. I am very proud of the players, these are hiccups that are part of growing up, a team that is grasping an idea and is very faithful, brave and courageous, that is what makes me most proud.”

Nico gave it his all
“To be honest, when Varela went out, it was between him and Nico. Nico was exhausted, he played a tremendous game. He ran, worked, help the team run back and forth, but we know that, due to the physical dimension he has, he is someone very capable on set pieces. Unfortunately, he couldn’t do anything about Maguire. It's a question of strength.”

The tactical changes after the break
“We changed the way the team was defending from the first to the second half. We were struggling to control the wings, with the fullbacks moving up in pressure and Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes started showing up on the outside and feeding the wings, who are very strong one-on-one. We left the wings uncovered and we corrected it at half time. We closed well, the team interpreted it perfectly and there was pretty much no danger after that, except for the set piece. They have talented players with a lot of inspiration, physically strong and were fortunate in the game. Today it was them, sometimes it happens to us, it's football. I am extremely proud of the players. What they did in an adverse context and against a very strong opponent in Europe is something that makes me very proud.”

A team capable of exciting thousands of fans
“This is the DNA of FC Porto and the players. What I ask of them is that they never disconnect from what is ours. We all make mistakes, it doesn't matter who makes them. What matters is how we react. They realized they were making mistakes, so we called people to get the message across. We knew where we could hurt Manchester and took to heart what was requested. That lucky ball can fall anywhere and today it went to the other side.”

    FC Porto Portal uses cookies in different ways. Know more here .
    By continuing to browse the site you are consenting to its use.