FC Porto face Benfica at the Pavilhão da Luz in Andebol 1 round 3 | OneFootball

FC Porto travel to the Pavilhão da Luz in Lisbon for matchday 3 of Andebol 1 to face Benfica (Saturday at 3pm, live on Porto Canal). The Dragons have three points, while the Lisbon side have six, although they have played one more game due to Porto’s participation in the Iberian Super Cup. On returning to the main national competition, Leonel Fernandes explained that the team has been working “with the aim of consolidating new ideas and tactical routines”. The left winger also acknowledged that the blue and whites will be up against “a new Benfica”, but believes they can return home “victorious”. To do so, he considers it essential to ensure “mutual support and intensity” throughout the match.

Pre-season and the start of the campaign “It was an intense pre-season with a strong focus on the physical side, as handball is becoming faster and more intense all the time. Our handball is in a new phase and we have also been working with the aim of consolidating new ideas and tactical routines. The pre-season matches and the official games already played are an indication of the work done so far.”

A Benfica side also in transition “We are up against a new Benfica and for that reason we are once again going through the process of observing and analysing the opponent so that we can try to exploit some of the weaker points they may have. We believe we can come away from there victorious, but like any derby it is an open game. Mutual support and intensity are, in my opinion, key foundations if we are to leave with the three points.”

A derby is always different “Obviously, a derby always has a different feel to it. These are matches we know are crucial for our objective in the league and, on top of that, it is against a long-standing rival. It is a privilege for any player to be involved in a game with this emotional intensity and I just try to enjoy it as much as possible.”

The support of Porto fans “FC Porto is made up of Porto fans. We have some supporters who follow us tirelessly and there are no words to thank them. All we can do is repay that joy on the court.”

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