Filipe Coelho says Casa Pia are stronger: 'We'll hurt FC Porto' | OneFootball

After earning their first point in the Betclic League against V. Guimarães (0-0), Casa Pia are preparing to host the leaders and reigning national champions, FC Porto. In the build-up to the match, Casa Pia head coach Filipe Coelho said the result achieved in the previous round “will carry more weight” than last season’s home win over the Dragons (2-1).

“Obviously, we have the chance to bring the two ideas together, as a result of our team’s growth and what we showed in Guimarães. We have not forgotten, and neither have FC Porto, the result achieved last year, but I prefer to focus more on the present and on what lies ahead. And what lies ahead is a growing Casa Pia side that, now with all the pieces in place after the transfer window closed, is undoubtedly stronger, and in this next step faces a very strong FC Porto that will make our task very difficult,” said Filipe Coelho, insisting that Casa Pia are “a very different team” from the one that were thrashed by Benfica in the second round (0-7).

“We have to understand our strengths and the strengths of an FC Porto side that has very, very strong qualities. A team that is extremely aggressive, very intense in the press, goes man-to-man across the whole pitch, with a very high press. We have to be intelligent and understand how we can escape that pressure. We know it is important to stop the very strong momentum FC Porto will try to impose from the first minute. And we also know that, as time goes by, things will become more favorable for us in terms of game management. I believe we will manage to have the ball at certain moments and hurt FC Porto, because that is what we want,” he added.

The 41-year-old coach also addressed Victor Froholdt’s absence from the Porto squad, although he does not believe that missing player represents any extra advantage for Casa Pia. “Not having Froholdt on the other side means not having one of the best players in the league present in the spectacle we all want to promote, one that is as positive as possible and of the highest quality possible. Naturally, if Froholdt is not there, someone else will be in his place to create difficulties for us. We are not happy about that, especially because of the way it happened,” he said.

Ivan Mandic stood out in the Casa Pia goal in Guimarães after coming on in the first half to replace the injured André Gomes. Filipe Coelho revealed this Friday that the goalkeeper, on loan from Benfica, will be sidelined for some time and confirmed Mandic as the starter against the Dragons.

“André Gomes has a tear in the long adductor and will be out for some time. There was no special preparation in relation to Ivan, Patrick, Dani, or the other goalkeepers. That preparation is special every week, we look at it in detail and they all approach it in a special way. We are pleased with how Ivan [Mandic] helped the team and was ready for his first minutes for Casa Pia, in an exemplary way and with a real impact on the game. He kept a clean sheet for us and so tomorrow he will be the starter,” he said.

Filipe Coelho was also asked about Patrick Sequeira, Casa Pia’s first-choice goalkeeper in recent seasons, who has yet to play a single minute this campaign. “He has always worked in an exemplary way and with a fantastic work ethic in helping the goalkeeping group. There was a plan, which was to prepare for his departure. The player and the club were aligned on that. In the end, it did not happen and, regardless of André’s injury, I’m happy to be able to count on one more good goalkeeper. Patrick will be an option, like all the others in other positions, to work and look for his opportunity,” he argued.

Livolant was another topic raised, following the disciplinary measure applied during the transfer window. The coach confirmed that the French winger will remain out for the match against FC Porto and explained what stage the process is at. “Livolant is following a return protocol; obviously, it is not a ‘return to play’ protocol, as if he were injured. It was part of a disciplinary process and he had been out for some time. He is following that protocol with the performance department,” he explained.

Casa Pia face FC Porto this Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Rio Maior Municipal Stadium, in a match from the sixth round of the Betclic League. José Bessa, from the Porto Football Association, will be the referee.

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