Mangala on FC Porto v Estoril Praia, warning: “This game is must-win” | OneFootball

In an interview with Record, Eliaquim Mangala recalled the difficult trips to Amoreira when he played for FC Porto.

With a career filled with titles at FC Porto and a spell at Estoril Praia between 2023 and 2025, Eliaquim Mangala previewed the clash in the 29th round of the Primeira Liga. Speaking to Record, the French centre-back began by looking back on the demanding visits to Amoreira:

“Even with FC Porto I lost at Estoril. There’s a history there that didn’t start today. Last year FC Porto won there, but it’s true that the 23/24 season was incredible (Estoril won two home matches against FC Porto and one away). I don’t know if Benfica or Sporting have ever beaten FC Porto three times in the same season.”

After that, he did not hide his support for FC Porto in the title race:

“To be honest, I want FC Porto to be champions. I know I have many friends at Estoril and I hope they forgive me, but I want FC Porto to be champions. So I’m leaning more towards an FC Porto win. I hope Estoril play a good game, but this year I want to see FC Porto become champions.”

Eliaquim Mangala acknowledged the importance of this match for the Dragons, calling it “decisive”:

“It’s a more important game for FC Porto than for Estoril, because it will be decisive. History shows that it is always a difficult challenge, especially away from home, for FC Porto, but now there is extra pressure. However, anyone who wants to be champions has to win anywhere. FC Porto have everything in their hands and want to win. Estoril will play with motivation, they want a good result and to put in a good performance. It will be a hard-fought match and FC Porto have to be at their best. If they want to be champions, they have to win this game. It’s ‘yes or yes’.”

Estoril Praia have one of the most productive attacks in the Primeira Liga, but also one of the most vulnerable defences, something the Frenchman sees as a consequence of Ian Cathro’s approach:

“It is part of Ian’s identity: an attacking game involving many players going forward, which sometimes causes a loss of balance. I know he would like to concede fewer goals, but it is part of his philosophy that ‘whoever scores more wins’.”

Finally, he said he expects to see the Canaries go toe to toe with FC Porto:

“It is always easier to motivate players for these games against the big clubs. It will come down a lot to the details, as happened at the Dragão, a well-prepared and hard-fought game that Estoril lost 1-0. Estoril are coming off less positive results, but the desire to attack and score will be the same against FC Porto as against any other team.”

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