João Henriques: “I believe it's possible to take points off FC Porto” | OneFootball

AVS SAD bids farewell this Sunday to home matches in the Primeira Liga with the visit of FC Porto (6 p.m.), aiming to extend its unbeaten run in the competition, which now stands at four games. Coach João Henriques believes his team can surprise the new national champions, although he also expects an opponent determined to leave with all three points.

“FC Porto are not a relaxed team — it’s not part of their DNA. Even though they have already won the title, they still have goals to achieve. Like us, they remain focused on their micro-objectives. After relegation, we kept growing, and FC Porto will show up at their usual competitive levels, reinforcing what is already certain: a title won with extraordinary numbers.”

The possibility of surprising FC Porto: “I believe it is possible to take points off FC Porto, and this game is no exception. In my career, I have faced them 11 times: I lost nine, drew one and won one. It is difficult, but not impossible. FC Porto are in a different moment from when we faced Sporting, who at the time were coming off a difficult run. Now it is different. They are teams of the same quality, but at different moments. Regardless of who plays for FC Porto, I am sure it will be a very strong starting eleven. It is hard to identify a first-choice eleven because they can make changes without losing quality. I look more at the team’s dynamics. On our side, we have to be at our very best. And in a match like this, the stars also have to align.”

Attack on Bednarek: “Sometimes these situations make the group come together even more around a teammate, especially in difficult moments. It may even have the opposite effect from what was expected. It was a regrettable episode, but I believe everyone will be ready and up to a game of this level of demand.”

What he expects from the match: “FC Porto will try to impose their game and we will do our part. We have to be competitive and strong in the duels. FC Porto lead in many indicators, and we will have to counter several factors. The team knows what it has to do. After that, it is football, and any result can happen.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.