Paulo Freitas on derby: "A draw leaves a bitter taste" | OneFootball

Paulo Freitas on derby: "A draw leaves a bitter taste" | OneFootball

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·19 February 2026

Paulo Freitas on derby: "A draw leaves a bitter taste"

Article image:Paulo Freitas on derby: "A draw leaves a bitter taste"

Paulo Freitas stated that his FC Porto "produced enough" to win the Classic, after the draw in the match against Benfica (4-4).

"It's a draw that feels like very little, honestly, and we can't dissociate it from the disappointment of not advancing in the Portuguese Cup. We have to correct everything and recover the team psychologically," he acknowledged, adding that the "DNA is about victories": "It has to do with the club we represent. Now, it's about sending a message of confidence, focus, and already thinking about the next game."


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"We corrected the situations where we were not as good in that Cup game and didn't allow Benfica to score in transition or during a continuous attack phase. In disadvantage situations, or three-on-three, we suffered and didn't know how to react," highlighted the FC Porto coach, lamenting the symptomatic state of the team. "We leave sad and disheartened. We intend for the path forward to be victorious, FC Porto was on top during the first half but, in the second, it was what it was. We will correct, refocus, mourn until tomorrow, and start working again with the same spirit and ambition, we must have pride in the club we represent," added Paulo Freitas.

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

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