Alan Varela: “We’ll keep working twice as hard to delight our fans” | OneFootball

Alan Varela, an FC Porto player, highlighted the team’s response in the 3-1 win over RC Deportivo in a friendly match played in A Coruña. The Porto midfielder praised the collective effort, reaffirmed the obligation to win, and promised to maintain the same high standards ahead of the trip to Madeira. The commitment was summed up in one sentence: “We will keep working twice as hard to bring joy to our people.”

In a test against a Spanish League opponent, Alan Varela found reasons to smile, both because of the result and the way FC Porto responded to the various changes. Between competitive ambition, his return to playing 90 minutes, and the integration of Chris Smalling, the player’s message was driven by one central idea: work harder to keep helping.

In his overall reading of the match, Varela began by stressing the quality of the opposition and Porto’s ability to respond in a context marked by changes and adjustments.

“It was a good game against a good opponent from the Spanish League,” he said. “We did a great job, we played with many youngsters who are not usually used, others from the B team, and with several adjustments, but we did a great job and we are happy because of that.”

More than just the victory in a friendly, the player valued the response of a group with several less usual options. The satisfaction came above all from the way the team maintained its competitive level despite the changes.

The result was not treated as a pre-season detail or a mere formality. For Varela, wearing the FC Porto shirt carries a level of demand that does not change depending on the context.

“We worked very hard during the week so that we could win this game,” he said. “At this Club we are obliged to win always, whatever the context. Today it was a friendly match, and we showed exactly that.”

The statement underlines a winning culture that the player sees as permanent. Even in a friendly, the week’s work had a clear purpose: to go onto the pitch to win.

With the trip to Madeira on the horizon, Varela rejected any slowdown. The strong start in the league deserves recognition, but it does not encourage complacency.

“We cannot lower the tempo, we have made a great start to the league but we know there is still a long way to go. We will keep working twice as hard to bring joy to our people,” he assured.

The tone is one of confidence, but also vigilance. The team has started well, according to the player, although the road still ahead demands even more work.

On an individual level, the match was also important for Varela, who was again used for the full 90 minutes. The player said he was pleased with his performance, without turning it into a finishing point.

“I feel good. It had been some time since I played 90 minutes, but I think I put in a good performance,” he admitted. “Now all that remains is for me to keep working so I can help the team in any way possible.”

His personal assessment follows the same line as the collective message: measured satisfaction and total availability. More than the amount of playing time, Varela highlighted his desire to be useful in any circumstance.

Asked about Chris Smalling, the Porto player praised his teammate’s experience and career. He also highlighted how quickly he responded on the pitch despite having had very little training time.

“It is a pleasure to play with him, a renowned player who has been at great clubs,” he said. “He has a lot of experience, he trained only once and still played a great game. We are very happy to have him here.”

The praise rounds off a night in which Varela found positive signs on several fronts: in the response of the younger players, in the adjustments, in his own performance, and in Smalling’s integration. Everything, however, remained subject to the same demand that shaped his message: at FC Porto, winning continues to be the standard.

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