FC Porto have regained a seven-point lead over Sporting, with a game in hand, and over Benfica after beating Moreirense FC (3-0) this Sunday at Estádio do Dragão, in the 26th matchday of the league. After the “right night” to secure “another win ahead of another important European fixture”, Francesco Farioli praised the “incredible” intensity of the blue and whites in the first half, in which they could have scored “another goal or two”. Even so, on the whole, a “good performance” earned a fine victory with a special dedication: “We’re very happy to be able to dedicate this victory to Thiago [Silva]. These were three goals for our number 3. Our thoughts are with him,” said the Italian coach.

A good night on all fronts
“It was definitely the right night to secure another victory ahead of another important European fixture. We steered the game in the right direction early on and could have scored another goal or two before half time, but the important thing is to get these kinds of results. We also had the chance to manage the workload of some players, so I’m very happy. We’re delighted to be able to dedicate this victory to Thiago [Silva]. It was three goals for our number 3. Our thoughts are with him.”

The substitutions made
“The last substitution was brought forward because Pepê was in pain. As always, when the opportunity arises, I like to anticipate situations, manage fatigue and give players some playing time. In terms of management, it was a good day, but above all it was a good performance. Our intensity in the first half was incredible and we maintained a good tempo. This is the way forward and we must keep working. Now we’ll prepare for the match against VfB Stuttgart and it’s as if the score is 0-0, so we have to go in with a winning mentality.”

Oskar Pietuszewski
“He’d been under the weather for two or three days and today he felt stomach problems again at half time, so we had to take him off. Oskar [Pietuszewski] is a brilliant lad and always has Jan [Bednarek] and Jakub [Kiwior] around him, who help keep his feet firmly on the ground. He’s only just arrived and is at the start of what we hope will be a great career, but he has to take it step by step and keep helping us, as he still has plenty of games to play.”

Pablo Rosario
“The truth is that Pablo [Rosario] plays in various positions. It was important for him to get some playing time, as he’s recently returned from injury and it was important to have him on the pitch, even just to prepare for the next game.”

Francisco Moura
“Francisco [Moura] is doing well. Things haven’t been easy recently, but he’s committed and ready to play. Today I also left [Seko] Fofana out, for example, but I have to make decisions and that’s all there is to it.”

Deniz Gül
“Confidence isn’t an issue at all. The fans love him and internally we have complete faith in him, starting with me. He played well today, just as he did at Estádio da Luz and in Stuttgart, so he just needs to keep working and the goals will come.”

Lots of young players in the squad
“We’ve been playing with a lot of young lads, all very promising and with a bright future ahead of them if they keep working with the same mindset and the same intensity, but the most important thing is for them to stay calm and very focused.”

The league table
“It makes no sense to look at the table when we have a rival with a game in hand, so it’s not a true reflection; we shouldn’t waste time doing calculations or wondering if this or that will happen. Right now, our focus is on VfB Stuttgart and then we’ll think about SC Braga, who are a very strong opponent. We’ll take it step by step and game by game.”

Next up is a home game against VfB Stuttgart and an away trip to Braga
“These are two very important matches. Thursday’s game is decisive, as it will determine whether we go through or are knocked out, so we have to start the match as if the score were 0–0. We’ll need a full house at Estádio do Dragão and the energy and support of our fans to be able to compete at the highest level. It’s an opportunity we cannot afford to miss. After that match, we’ll have to play in Braga and everyone knows the standard they’re at, how good they are, but right now our focus is on VfB Stuttgart.”

Many difficult moments off the pitch
“This season we’ve already had too many difficult moments off the pitch, extreme situations that are very painful, both individually and as a team. What happened to Jorge Costa affected everyone, and the other two cases also touched us all deeply. We spend more time with each other than with our own families, and when these things happen, it’s always difficult to turn the page, but we have to give them the love they need and deserve. We have a group of people who are a real family.”