Vladan Milojevic: “FC Porto are a formidable side” | OneFootball

Vladan Milojević, coach of Red Star, heaped praise on FC Porto. For the 55-year-old Serbian manager, the Dragons are going through one of their best phases of the season and present themselves as strong contenders for the UEFA Europa League title. “FC Porto looks impressive in every department. I am sure they will fight for the Europa League trophy, so a very tough task awaits us. We had an intense match at the weekend [against Radnicki Kragujevac, 2-1], but we are used to it. As for the physical aspect, we must be prepared,” assured Vladan Milojević.

Milojević emphasized his admiration for the blue and whites, highlighting the impact of their performances: “They play with discipline, speed, and quality. All the players have embraced Farioli’s ideas, who is, without a doubt, one of the best coaches of the new generation. They show tremendous confidence and are extremely disciplined. It’s up to us to respond to FC Porto’s game and seize any opportunities that arise.”

Farioli may rest some players, but Milojević does not see this as a clear advantage, especially since his own club will have changes in the lineup due to physical wear and tear: “I am not familiar with Farioli’s plans. We know they have the Portuguese classic coming up, but we need to take care of ourselves, stay close to their level, and give everything we have. There will be changes compared to the Celtic match. It’s inevitable. Although I am not a fan of rotation. I hope that in each upcoming UEFA match we play better than in the previous one,” he stated.

A representative voice in the dressing room, forward Bruno Duarte – who made his mark as a goal scorer in Portugal with Vitória de Guimarães and Farense – also anticipates a tough match. This will be the Brazilian player’s sixth encounter against the Dragons, with defeats in all previous meetings, although he has already scored twice against the blue and whites: “We expect a very difficult match, but we are focused on giving our best. And who knows, maybe we can surprise them and win. If I manage to score a goal, even better! But the most important thing is to get the three points,” said the Brazilian.

“We know they play with a high block, very intense, which creates enormous pressure. We will try to find spaces to surprise them. These are two giants of European football, but in the current context, FC Porto is the big favorite. However, European matches can bring surprises,” warned the forward, who anticipates a demanding duel with Diogo Costa: “He is a goalkeeper who is going through a fantastic phase, but I am confident in my preparation and believe I can surprise him. That is the essence of this game: facing the best and giving our best. Our goal is to win, and I will do everything I can to score or contribute decisively to the team.”

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