After the tie in the 21st matchday of the League (1-1), Thiago Silva pointed out that “nothing has changed” and that FC Porto remains “in the first place, four points ahead of its rival.” “Conceding the goal at the end brings a feeling of sadness because we had the three points in our hand,” he admitted, but it is necessary to “stay calm” and continue “what has been done,” especially because “you don't win a championship in one game”: “If we analyse the two championship games against Sporting, we earned four points by winning there and tying here. If we maintain this gap, we have everything we need to end the season on a high note.”

Leadership intact
“The team is the same position as it was when the game started, in the first place, four points ahead of our rivals. Conceding a goal at the end brings a feeling of sadness because we had the three points in our hand, but I want to tell the fans that nothing has changed. We are where we wanted to be, where we were before the game started. It neither increased nor decreased that advantage. We have to stay calm because I really believe in this team and I am sure we are on the right track.”

Analysis of the classic
“It was a very strategic game, like a game of chess. I was recently in England and this game reminded me a lot of the clashes between Manchester City and Arsenal. It was very strategic and there was mutual respect between the teams. Even so, we controlled the game, created some scoring opportunities, they pressed hard at the end to avoid a negative result and, unfortunately, we end this with a tie, but in first place.”

The motto for what lies ahead
“We have to continue with a lot of humbleness, wisdom, and respect for our opponents. I really believe in this team, we are on the right track, and I hope that the biggest explosion will be at the end of the competition. That will be a reward not only for me, who has now returned to the club, but also for the fans, who deserve this.”

The strategy for the game
“We have to play as the game demands. Today, Sporting had to win to reduce the gap. We did too, because of the football we play, what we have done so far, and because we are playing at home, but we have to know how to deal with the moments. You don't win the championship in one game. If we analyse the two championship games against Sporting, we earned four points by winning there and tying here. If we maintain this distance and continue to do what we have been doing, we have everything we need to end the season on a happy note.”

Quick adaptation
“It’s the welcome from the fans, the coaching team, my teammates, and the president. In my first game, against Benfica, it felt like I had never left. That feeling was the same as Fofana had today. He was rewarded with a goal, and I hope I can be too in the next games.”