They earned “three more points without conceding” in the league, in a “good game” in which the team “remained calm,” even when facing Gil Vicente's “high and consistent pressure” (3-0). Thiago Silva made it clear that “if the team maintains this unity and concentration, it has everything it needs to continue winning,” and thanked “the fans because it's a cold and rainy day and they left their homes to come and support us.”

“They are fundamental to our growth and our performance. The team will need them even more on Thursday, and I hope we can continue on this path to success,” predicted the centre back, who explained to Samu that “the team really needs his goals and his contribution” and that he cannot take the field unless it is to win: “In every game I play, in every competition I participate in, and in every club I have represented, I always aim to fight for titles. I have never played in the Europa League, so it is a title I don’t have. Our objective is always to fight for every title, while maintaining the team’s consistency.”

Three points earned on the pitch and in the stands
“We played well, and I think that when we do that, we're always closer to winning. We're very happy to have earned three more points without conceding, which is the most important thing for me as a centre back. I'm very pleased with our performance, and I want to thank the fans because the night is cold and rainy, and they left their homes to support us. They are fundamental to our growth and our performance. The team will need them even more on Thursday, and I hope we can continue on this path to success.”

Congratulations to my teammates
“A high-level football game requires maximum concentration, regardless of who the opponent is. Their coach had said so before the game, and they played a great first half, pressing high and marking consistently. We kept our cool, and after going 1-0 up, the game became easier to read, which is what we did. After the second goal and especially after the sending off, we managed to maintain our level, and in the end, with an extra player, we ended up relaxing more. We have to focus because they created more danger now at the end, with one man down, than during the rest of the game. The team deserves praising for their performance today."

Samu
“Forwards live off goals. He can't let himself be shaken for missing penalties; he has a long career ahead of him. I told him at the end that we really need his goals and his contribution to help the team. In the dressing room, Eustáquio asked to speak and gave a very interesting talk about Samu and the group. If we maintain this unity and concentration as a team, we have everything we need to continue on this path of victories.”

Maximum ambition
“In every game I play, every competition I take part in, and every club I've represented, I always aim to fight for titles. I've never played in the Europa League, so it's a title I don't have. Our goal is always to fight for every title, while maintaining the team's consistency. Whether we're on the field or not, our defensive structure is very strong. Before I arrived, they had only conceded four goals in the league, and now they continue to do so. It's not Thiago Silva, it's defensive work that starts with the forwards, and today, once again, we managed to keep a clean sheet, which for me is one of the most important things.”