Sent in by Francesco Farioli at the start of the second half, Gabri Veiga proved absolutely decisive, opening the scoring shortly after the restart and setting FC Porto on their way to a 2-0 win over CD Tondela at Estádio do Dragão on matchday 30 of the Portuguese League. Voted the Liga Portugal MVP, the number 10 talked of “a very strong squad” that knew how to “step up the pace in the second half”, but now they must continue to “do our job” and “forget the rest”. “It’s only right that we rely solely on ourselves at this stage,” added the Spanish midfielder, who has “a lot of confidence in this squad and these fans”.

A great second half
“We started the second half well, stepped up the pace and did what we know how to do. We’ve got the three points; there are four games left and we have to give it our all.”

The dressing room and the missed penalty
“We’re a very strong group. No opponent is easy in this league; everyone fights hard and competes fiercely. We knew we had to step up the pace in the second half. The missed penalty didn’t help, but we have a lot of faith in Alan [Varela] and I’m sure he’ll score the next penalty he takes.”

The result of the derby and the title race
“I don’t know and I don’t want to know. I’m only interested in the four games we have left and the Portuguese Cup match. We have to do our job and forget the rest, but it’s only fair that we’re relying solely on ourselves at this stage.”

The second leg of the Portuguese Cup semi-finals
“We’re playing against a strong side and we’re starting with a deficit, but with these fans, this team and everyone pulling together, it’s possible. I have a lot of confidence in this squad and these fans.”