João Gonçalves: “We remain just as focused and just as ambitious” | OneFootball

José Miranda, FC Porto’s under-15 coach, and midfielder João Gonçalves looked ahead to the trip to Vila do Conde to face Rio Ave FC in the 6th round of the Northern Series of the National Under-15 Championship. After the home draw against FC Paços de Ferreira, both acknowledged the need to correct what was missing, without undermining the team’s confidence. The objective remains unchanged, and João Gonçalves assured: “We remain just as focused and just as ambitious.”

FC Porto go into this round as sole leaders with 13 points, one more than CD Feirense, while Rio Ave FC sit in ninth place with three. Before Sunday’s match at 11:00, José Miranda and João Gonçalves shared a common message: the draw served as a warning, but it does not change their belief in the work being done.

José Miranda began by putting the start of the season into perspective. The results have been positive, but the coach rejected any definitive reading at what he still considers a very early stage.

“We are still at a very early stage of the season, but the truth is that the start has been good, and we have had good results,” he said. “Even so, we are at a very early stage and still have a lot to develop throughout the season.”

The assessment combines satisfaction and caution. The start is encouraging, but the message remains focused on the growth the team still has ahead of it.

The draw in Pedroso, which ended their all-win record, did not lead the coach to question the path they have been following. Even so, José Miranda acknowledged the impact of the result and accepted it as a warning for the challenges ahead.

“It was not because of that result that we questioned what we have been doing, but it is always a jolt and something that keeps us alert for what is coming. Of course, that result made us even more alert, and we have been working so that things go well in the next match.”

There is, therefore, no break with the previous work, but rather heightened attention. In the coach’s remarks, the draw appears as something to correct, not as a reason to abandon their convictions.

To return to winning ways against Rio Ave FC, José Miranda called for seriousness, collective strength, and readiness for whatever difficulties the opponent may present. In his view, anticipating those problems will be one of the keys to the match.

“We have to be very serious, very collective, and very well prepared for all the adversity that Rio Ave FC may create for us. Above all, we have to be very collective and have the ability to anticipate the difficulties they may cause us.”

The formula relies above all on the strength of the group. More than reacting during the game, the coach wants a team capable of recognizing obstacles in advance and responding to them in an organized way.

João Gonçalves gave voice to the dressing room and dismissed the idea that the draw had shaken the team’s confidence. The midfielder stressed that the group has kept its ambition and remains focused on the next challenge.

“The confidence is still the same despite the draw in the last game. We have been working every day for what comes next,” he assured. “We remain just as focused and just as ambitious.”

The message follows the line set by the coach: acknowledge the result without turning it into a crisis. The group accepts the warning, but keeps its confidence in the process fully intact.

As for the objective in Vila do Conde, João Gonçalves left no room for doubt. The team worked on the aspects that were less successful in the previous round and is aiming for all three points.

“We approach the game with maximum ambition and we will work to get all three points. During the week, we tried to correct what we did less well in the last game.”

The draw served as a reference point for the week’s work, not as a setback. Between correcting mistakes and declaring their ambition, FC Porto are preparing for the visit to Rio Ave FC with the lead to defend and victory as their clear objective.

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