Maria Inês Nogueira: “we really want another win” | OneFootball

Daniel Chaves, head coach of FC Porto’s women’s team, and defender Maria Inês Nogueira previewed the match against Racing Power in the third round of the league, scheduled for Sunday at 11:00am at the Olival mini-stadium. After the draw against SC Braga, both highlighted the team’s growth, warned about the strength of the next opponent, and reinforced the importance of the support from the stands. The coach issued an appeal: “we ask that you come along.”

With live coverage on Porto Canal and tickets on sale through the usual outlets, the return home comes at a time when the result from the previous round still brings some frustration, but also positive signs. Daniel Chaves admits that cohesion is still being built, while Maria Inês Nogueira translates that progress into a clear ambition: to return to winning ways.

The draw against SC Braga left the feeling of a missed opportunity. The coach felt the performance deserved a different outcome, especially because of the chances created and the superiority he identified in the game.

“There is a feeling that, after two rounds, we could and should have six points, mainly because of what we did on the pitch against SC Braga, and also because of the circumstances in which they got the equaliser. We clearly felt that we were the better side in that game, that we did enough to win it and even to score a second goal,” he said. “We ended up having three clear chances in the second half to score and go ahead, but we couldn’t manage it. There is a sense of frustration, but also some encouragement because of everything we did and the way we managed to play in that last match.”

Maria Inês Nogueira shared the coach’s view and already pointed to the response the team wants to give.

“We think we deserved more. We went after those three points and we want to give even more to get there, because we know the team is capable and we truly want to add another win.”

The draw was not treated as a reason to ease off. Between frustration over the result and encouragement taken from the performance, the message is to turn the growth shown into points.

On the other side will be a Racing Power team that Daniel Chaves sees as different and stronger than last season. The coach highlighted, in particular, the structural change, the new dynamics and the opponent’s greater physical presence.

“It seems to me that the coach who came in last season changed the team’s structure this year and, although they already had a very strong squad last year, they fell short of expectations in the standings. This year they have also greatly improved their physical dimension and they clearly have a taller and stronger team than the year before,” he analysed. “On top of that, they have completely different dynamics from last year and we are preparing for that.”

The Porto defender also did not hide the level of difficulty expected, without giving up on the objective.

“It’s a strong, competitive and physical team. We are fully aware that it’s going to be a difficult match, but we are going after the three points.”

The picture painted is of a demanding match, in which preparation for Racing Power’s physical and collective characteristics will carry weight. Even so, the message remains focused on victory.

Daniel Chaves framed this start to the league as part of an ongoing process. Between newly arrived players, injuries and ideas brought from previous experiences, the coach acknowledged that the adaptation requires more time than initially expected.

“The feeling from these first two rounds has been positive. I think we have already managed to show, in part, what we want from our game. Some dynamics are starting to appear, knowing that it is also difficult to undo the ideas players had to put into practice in previous seasons at the clubs they were at. It is a big change,” he explained. “We have had injuries, we had people arriving right at the end of the transfer window, and all of that requires a longer adaptation period than was expected. I want to stress again that we are still effectively doing our pre-season in these first rounds, because understanding between players takes time.”

Maria Inês Nogueira sees concrete signs of that progress, comparing the current moment with the first competitive fixture.

“We are growing in a positive way, I think there is already a big difference compared to the first competitive match. We want to keep growing and giving our best in this new stage, which is the women’s league.”

Growth is therefore the common thread in Porto’s message. There is an identity under construction and a clear awareness that collective performance will depend on the time needed to consolidate the new dynamics.

In terms of selection, the coach revealed that he now has greater room for choice, although he underlined the importance of Lara Perruca’s absence. The returns allow him to approach the match with more alternatives.

“Yes, I now end up having solutions and greater variety of options for the match. With Lara Perruca’s injury, we also lack some vertical aggression in attacking terms. She was the fastest player we had in the squad and it ends up being an important loss for us,” he acknowledged. “Now we have some players returning and we do not look at ages, but above all at what the player can add on the pitch. If they are available, the players are always options for us and allow us to look at the match in a different way.”

The loss of speed in attack is acknowledged openly, but the recovery of other players broadens the options available. For Daniel Chaves, the criterion lies in the contribution each option can offer on the pitch.

Maria Inês Nogueira is also going through her own integration process. The defender feels increasingly connected to the collective model and the ideas conveyed by the coach.

“I’ve been feeling good, I think I’m improving and becoming more and more integrated into the team’s style of play and the coach’s ideas. I trust all of my teammates equally.”

Individual confidence appears tied to the collective, with no distinctions within the group. It is another reflection of a team trying to speed up understanding without ignoring the time needed to build it.

The return to Olival adds an emotional dimension to the third round. Maria Inês Nogueira recalled her home debut and the impact created by the presence of the supporters.

“It was great to make my home debut, it was good to see so many Porto supporters here, to feel their support, and it’s great to be able to play at home again this weekend.”

Daniel Chaves reinforced that appeal, recalling the presence of the Porto family since the beginning of the project and acknowledging that the kick-off times will be very different from those of recent years.

“I want, once again, to encourage them to come, as they have done since the creation of the project. We have talked a lot about this: they have been important and have been present at every stage of our growth,” he stressed. “We know that the kick-off times this year will be very different from what they were in the last two, but we ask that you come. Sunday morning is actually a good time to come as a family and support our team. With a bit of patience as well, because we are still in a growth phase and we really need them so that, in difficult moments, they can drive us forward and lift our spirits.”

Maria Inês Nogueira closed the message with a direct request to the stands.

“It makes all the difference if you are here supporting us, so I ask you to come, to cheer for the team, because with you we are stronger.”

In a group still searching for the best understanding, the support of the fans is presented as part of that journey. At Olival, the team wants to combine growth, ambition and the strength of the stands in the pursuit of another victory.

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