FC Porto staged a turnaround in Minho and beat SC Braga 2-1 on matchday 27 of the league, and Francesco Farioli praised “the strength and desire” of a side that was losing, but knew how to “bounce back against a top-class opponent”, securing “a very important win”. “The reaction was positive, there was a lot of character and intensity, and the players who came on helped us turn the game around. We deserved this result for the effort we put in,” said the Italian coach in the aftermath of “a very positive match” and “a victory for the whole team”.

Match analysis
“We started with great intensity and courage, both with and without the ball. We’re the only team in the top three to have beaten SC Braga twice, and that says a lot about our performance, because they play very good football. It’s very difficult to come back, because they play with short passes and the ball moves very quickly, but we were very good in the first 35 minutes and then we had to manage the goal conceded to get back into the game. We didn’t deserve to be losing 1-0; there are at least three incidents we could discuss. Because if our challenge led to a penalty, I’d like to understand the logic behind the situation involving Deniz Gül against Benfica. The reaction was positive; there was plenty of character and intensity, and the players who came on helped us turn the game around. We deserved this result for the effort we put in. I don’t like to celebrate too much, but tonight the players deserve it, because it was a very important victory.”

Quick reaction
“It’s important to react against an opponent of this calibre. You can’t let your guard down for a second, because otherwise you end up conceding chances. William Gomes and Terem Moffi had very positive start, as was that of Seko Fofana, who scored the goal, and Borja Sainz and Pablo, who helped us gain ground in the opposition’s box. It was a very positive game and it’s a victory for the whole team.”

Strength in unity
“We mustn’t forget anyone, from the players who started the match to those who came on as substitutes. Of course, Seko Fofana scored the goal and helped us bring some aggression to the game, stay in the opposition’s half and play on the counter-attack. It was very positive; now we want to enjoy the next few hours, and in a few days’ time we’ll start preparing for the next game, always with the same desire to improve. We’re in the final stretch of this marathon and we need everyone to be at their best and in good physical and mental condition. We’ll have several players away on international duty. It’s important that everyone is ready to help us when they return.”

An important result
“Today’s match was very important. You saw me more agitated than usual today, because in my opinion there should have been a red card shown for the incident involving Oskar, who was right in front of me and I saw the player stop him with an elbow to the face. Playing against a team like this, which has such good players, and having the chance to gain a numerical advantage could have been a huge advantage. The situation with Deniz Gül is something to discuss. There were moments that could have changed the game; now it’s important that we all stick together. Our slogan is ‘Stand United’ and we must remain united against everything, because we know the difficulties we’re going to face. The best part of tonight was the team’s reaction, the strength and the desire to always want more.”

Post-match celebrations
“It was all down to the performance. Two days ago we beat a top team in the Bundesliga and progressed to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, yet none of us celebrated because we had to stay focused on today’s match. Today’s celebrations reflect everything we’ve achieved over the past month, because we also need to take some pleasure from our work. The players deserve a break; then we’ll be back with our feet firmly on the ground, the same mindset and our willingness to work, run and fight for every ball.”

A well-deserved rest
“The players will have a few days’ rest, but we’ll still have to sort that out internally.”

A victory of the team
“The starting line-up, the substitutes and even those who didn’t make the squad were all important. As you could see, Thiago Silva and Alan Varela were like two extra coaches on the bench, helping and driving the team on right to the end. I’m usually calm, but I think we deserve to celebrate today, because it was a spectacular match and an important result.”

The final stretch of the marathon
“We still have seven games to go. I’m really pleased with the result, I even celebrated more than usual, because I feel we played with the right determination to win, but as soon as we get home we’ll have to switch gears. We’ll give some of the players a break; others will be away on international duty, and after that we’ll prepare as best we can for the match against FC Famalicão, who are doing very well and are one of the teams in the best form. We have to be ready to face them at home.”

The goal conceded
“We didn’t need to concede a goal to change the momentum. We were playing well, but we were punished with a penalty which, from my perspective on the pitch, is debatable. If that was a penalty, then Deniz Gül’s challenge against Benfica was too. Our reaction was very good and the spirit and aggression were fantastic. We built the game in a certain way; the goal conceded was just one incident in the middle of a very well-fought match.”

Step by step
“Being the only team in the top three to have beaten SC Braga twice is remarkable. I have a lot of respect for SC Braga, because they’re a good side and play very well, which is why this result was so important. In the next match we’ll face another opponent in great form, against whom we’ve already played twice and had a lot of trouble. Every match has its difficulties; we’ve already had tough games at home and away, we’re still due to host Sporting Lisbon at Estádio do Dragão, and our April is going to be a busy one. We’ll take it step by step: first FC Famalicão, and then we’ll think about the rest.”

Double standards
“There was more than one incident; we can mention the challenge on Gabri Veiga early in the game, or the incident involving Oskar, who was right in front of the bench on a breakaway and was fouled. Playing against ten men would have been a huge advantage. The Deniz Gül incident also came at a crucial moment, although the ball wasn’t entirely under the player’s control, so I’d say it was a ‘orange’ card offence. As for the penalty… it’s all right. The most important thing is the team’s reaction, the way they managed the difficulties and how everyone was involved. This squad is fantastic. We still have many games ahead of us; we’re in the final stretch and have two months packed with important matches. My gratitude for what the players have done is immense. Let’s enjoy it, keep our cool and move forward.”

International break
“It’s always good to have a break, especially when we have the chance to build on this positive momentum. As far as we’re concerned, nothing will change. Everyone was really excited about the result, because until now no one had allowed themselves to celebrate too much, but today we played a good game in a week in which we qualified for the Europa League quarter-finals. We had that moment to celebrate everything we’ve been through. Sometimes that’s good too. This break will be important, and the players staying with us at Olival must be prepared to work hard, with the same effort, focus and desire to improve. We haven’t achieved anything yet. We’re on the right track in three competitions and we’re determined to compete right to the end, but there’s still a lot to do. Our mantra is to take it one game at a time and work, work and work.”

Against all odds
“Three points are three points and nothing more than that. After a performance like this, in which we proved we’re capable of overcoming all the adversities beyond our control… If we think about Seko Fofana’s shot and the way he defended in the final minutes, that’s the image of this team. After this effort and sacrifice in front of our fans, who made us feel at home, allow me this luxury of being able to celebrate for a few seconds.”

Oskar Pietuszewski
“When playing this sort of game, with so many one-on-one situations, it’s tricky. Of course, a player like Oskar prefers to have the ball at his feet and time to think, but he has to learn to manage his frustration when the ball doesn’t come to him cleanly. We spoke about that at half time, in the first half we didn’t do so well, but then he managed to create a few chances, showed a good defensive attitude and was very intelligent tactically. Not every team is capable of pressing SC Braga like that, because their side are very brave and play at distances that make winning the ball back very difficult. There were times when we managed to do it very well.”

The Polish winger’s fitness
“He’s improving physically. He’s very young, he came from a different background, but he demands a lot from himself in terms of intensity and work rate. He’s building up excellent fitness. We like to freshen up some players when we have the chance. When we took him off, he was already in the red zone and it made perfect sense, especially as we had a player like Borja Sainz who could help us.”

Seko Fofana
“He’s a player with a very clear purpose; he’s always incredibly focused, whether he starts the game or comes on as a substitute. Today he proved once again that our new signings have helped us raise our game and make up for the absence of our injured players. It’s very difficult to turn these situations around, and what we’ve achieved is remarkable and the result of everyone’s hard work. Seko Fofana is one of the players who has helped us raise our game and keep the team’s morale at the highest level.”