“Now we must keep this focus because we have a final to play” | OneFootball

FC Porto beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the members’ presentation friendly held this Saturday at the Estádio do Dragão. Pepê, who scored the National Champions’ second goal, highlighted the quality of the opposition, describing them as “a very strong team.” The Brazilian forward also felt that the Dragons played “a good game,” but will have to “keep working because the demands of a final are very high.” The statement comes with the Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup in mind, against SCU Torreense, scheduled for August 1 at 8:15pm in Coimbra.

With a return to the Champions League on the horizon, Pepê also stressed that “a Club like FC Porto deserves to always be up there” and pointed to “unity” as a decisive factor for success across the various competitions.

Aston Villa“Even shorthanded, they are a very strong team, with great players and above-average quality. They are a Premier League team. We played a good game and did what we have been working on in pre-season. Now we have to keep this focus because we have a final to play.”

Maximum demands for the final“We are trying to prepare ourselves better and better. We made some mistakes in this game, but we have to value what we did and keep working because the demands of a final are very high.”

The role of the coach, hard work and unity“We have to keep doing what the coach asks and what we work on, maintaining a high level and great dedication in training. That way, the results will come in matches. Last season, the unity we had was very important, and we are becoming more and more united.”

The Dragons’ return to the Champions League“It is very important for us to be back in the Champions League. A Club like FC Porto deserves to always be up there, and we want to honour its history.”

Ambition to surpass previous records“I hope to have a better season than all the others, because I am someone who always tries to improve. I made mistakes last season, but I am sure this one will be even better both individually and collectively.”

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