FC Porto beat Estoril Praia (1-0) in the 12th matchday of the championship, and Francesco Farioli confessed that “it wasn't an easy game, but the result helps us move forward”. In the aftermath of “a demanding challenge”, the Italian coach praised the performance of the opponent, who, so far, “has been one of the best teams to play at Dragão, both for their organisation and the individual quality of each player”, and acknowledged that “this victory was important”, especially “on a night when the team was not as inspired as usual, after an intense game on Thursday”. “It's normal that we're not as fresh, but that's no excuse, we have to compensate with our mentality,’ concluded the coach, certain that ‘there is still room for improvement”.

A worthy opponent
“Estoril was one of the best teams that played here, both in terms of organisation and the individual quality of each player. It wasn't an easy game, but that's part of it. We had our chances to capitalise on the result a little earlier. It was a demanding game, as we predicted, but the result helps us move forward.”

Tactical changes in Estoril
“We knew they could change their tactics. They are very fast, they play with a very low block,  which causes problems, especially on a day when we are not as inspired as usual, after an intense game on Thursday night. In the second half, we managed the moments with and without the ball better. We prepared seven different scenarios in two days and they managed to surprise us, so we were still trying to adjust a few minutes before we started, and I congratulate them on their performance. It was an important victory for us.”

Talk on the bench
“It was a moment in the game. Diogo felt some pain in his leg, the game stopped, and I saw an opportunity to clarify some doubts.”

Luuk de Jong with complaints
“It seems to have been his knee again. We have to assess it. We don't know exactly what's going on, we'll have to reassess it in a few hours. It's the same knee, but not in the same place, we'll have to assess it.”

Tight schedule
“If you're not fresh against a team like this with midfielders playing low who combine several moves, it's difficult. On Thursday we had a very demanding game against a very physical team, so it's normal that we're not so fresh, but that's no excuse. We have to deal with it and compensate with our mentality. We had three days to recharge our batteries and I think we managed it well, but we couldn't compensate for everything. These lads deserve congratulations, but there's still a lot to improve.”

Post-match
“Emotions during the game. That’s normal. I didn’t see any drama, it’s normal for emotions to run high.”

Zero shots on target by the opposition
“They didn’t have a single shot on goal, Diogo Costa made zero saves, even though they had chances. We don’t usually let our opponents get close to our goal, but in football anything can happen. Estoril played well, with a lot of mobility, organisation, quality and confidence, and that caused us problems. We weren't as assertive as usual. Although we scored a goal, the truth is that we could have scored more. There is room for improvement tactically and physically. The opponents deserved credit. We showed signs of fatigue, and that made the game more complicated than usual.”

Clean sheet
“Estoril had two or three great chances; it was probably the game in which we conceded the most chances, but we were fortunate. There will be games in which we concede goals, as has already happened; it's part of football. I'm happy with the clean sheet and I hope the team continues in this record.”

Gabri Veiga out of the starting eleven
“We have two very good players for the same position and we have to manage that situation. Gabri did very well against Nice and Rodrigo has proven that he deserves a place. This puts me in a difficult position, where I have to choose which one I want to use, but that's part of football.”

Duels in midfield
“We lacked the ability to drag their midfielder out of position and prevent him from turning the game around. We were late a few times, we knew this was one of their strengths and that their ball recoveries could be dangerous. We scored a goal and had four or five chances where we could have closed the game, but if we don't recover the ball, the pitch becomes bigger. They have players with great technique and the right energy to create danger. It's important to respect the moments of the game, especially when we play so much. We already know that we won't always dominate the game without the ball, and we have to be patient to manage those moments and wait for our time to dominate.

Francisco Moura
“I substituted him because he had a yellow card.”

Mora more active in defence
“The goal came from pressure from him and William, in a move that also involved Froholdt and Samu. Rodrigo understands the game better and better and is becoming more and more mature. In terms of his defensive attitude, I have great images of him recovering balls that he wouldn't have recovered a few months ago. It happened at Famalicão, at Moreirense. His determination to help and contribute to the team mission is fantastic. His defensive ability will help him become a more complete player, not just a player who uses his talent, but a player who plays for the team. I am very happy and I believe he is on the right track.”