Villas-Boas: Biggest compliment is Benfica defending at Dragão | OneFootball

André Villas-Boas commented on the draw between FC Porto and Benfica, praising the team led by Francesco Farioli. At the Portugal Football Globes Gala, the president of the dragons accused Trubin, Richard Ríos, and Enzo Barrenchea of resorting to time-wasting:

«A well-fought game, difficult, not as intense as the classics usually are. The greatest compliment we can give FC Porto is seeing Benfica in their defensive stance at the Dragão and players like Trubin, Ríos, and Enzo wasting time to secure a draw at the Dragão. It’s the greatest compliment to the radical evolution of FC Porto from one year to the next. It gives us good feelings for the future».

«Obviously, it is very premature, our focus is to win this championship, and for that, we must maintain this advantage, but with our feet firmly on the ground. Did Mourinho greet me? We crossed paths when he was going to the press conference, and there was a hug between two people who know each other very well», continued André Villas-Boas.

André Villas-Boas also praised José Mourinho and highlighted that FC Porto faced «several players» with salaries above «eight million euros»:

«Mourinho is an ultra-winner in various championships, he has an enviable track record and the best among Portuguese coaches. This values what was done by FC Porto in this game, with a young team facing an experienced team, of incalculable value, with several players earning above eight million euros. It demonstrates what FC Porto and its young players are doing, enhanced by our coach. Especially against a team coached by a manager like Mourinho».

«It is very premature. We are in the 8th round, there is a lot of the championship left. If we maintain this stance, we are confident that we can reach the title, but there is a lot of work and many games ahead. FC Porto must maintain this stance of fighting against everything and everyone, maintaining unity around the club, with the fans. Commitment to victory is to be carried through to the end. We have a good advantage, but nothing significant in the 8th round. There is a lot of the championship left».

«Am I surprised by the impact of the coach? Given how we ended last season, we had to have an immediate impact, otherwise, FC Porto would not meet the titles it so needs. Farioli has done an exceptional job and it was only possible for FC Porto to bring him from the market because he lost the championship with Ajax. Under other conditions, he would either still be at Ajax or already be in other championships. He is a young, ambitious coach and we are grateful. We want to serve him in the best possible way, not only with the squad but with the entire structure».

At the Portugal Football Globes Gala, André Villas-Boas announced that FC Porto will file a complaint for the aggression by Pavlidis and directed criticism at Frederico Varandas (president of Sporting) and Pedro Proença (president of the Portuguese Football Federation).

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