With Dominik Prpić playing the full game in the heart of the defence, FC Porto beat FC Twente at home, 2-1, on Sunday in a pre-season friendly at Estádio do Dragão. The young Croatian central defender began by talking about the importance of a strong presence “in the back” and saw good ball movement from the defensive area, but reminded that “we still have two weeks until the official start of the competition”. “We really believe in what the coach tells us”, the number 21 added.

Leadership is non-negotiable for a central defender
“When you're a central defender, you have to be a leader, but Diogo is also a leader in goal. We always have to be alert at the back.”

Playing out from the back
“The coach asks us to find solutions between the lines. We manage to do that, but we still have two weeks until the official start of the competition and we work every day to be better. We really believe in what the coach tells us.”

Comfortable in any tactic
“I've played in a line of three defenders, where I was on the left. I'm ready for anything and it's not a problem for me.”