João Henriques on the Dragão clash: “All the pressure is on FC Porto” | OneFootball

AVS SAD travels this Monday to Estádio do Dragão to face FC Porto (8:15 PM), with the ambition to win and achieve something that no opponent has managed this season. João Henriques admits it will be a demanding task.

“It’s a game that takes much of the weight of responsibility off our shoulders. 100% of the responsibility lies with the opponent. Everyone thinks we’re going to lose at the Dragão, except our group. We prepared for this game the same way as the others. I consider any opponent a good opportunity to earn points, whether at home or away. The level of difficulty, in this case, because it’s against FC Porto, is high. If no one has beaten them yet, it’s because it’s not easy. They are in 1st place, deservedly so. Their football has been appreciated since the beginning, for the intense way they play. We are prepared to counter the opponent’s dynamics, both defensively and offensively, at every moment of the game, with the same ambition,” he began by saying.

Difficulties at the Dragão: “We know that, in 10 games against these teams, you usually win one and draw another, maybe it will be this one, tomorrow, at the Dragão. Against FC Porto, as a coach, I have already won, drawn, and lost most of the games. Playing at the Dragão, with their winning momentum, means facing a team that breathes confidence, unlike AVS.”

Week of training: “There’s no comparison with previous weeks, because I arrived recently. But the group surprised me with how open and positive they are in embracing new ideas. Good atmosphere and good spirits. They are also riding the wave of believing it’s possible.”

Draw with Nacional: “I took positive lessons from that game. We did a lot of good things. The team’s position in the table, as the rounds go by, means that, at the moment we conceded the goal, there was a fear of not winning again, and that brought back some ‘ghosts’. But they knew how to react, and that was a good sign. Even with 10 players, they showed the ability to face adversity. The players can do more than they have done so far. These are very special moments and the reactions are good indicators.”

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