Vladan Milojevic: "FC Porto are a formidable side" | OneFootball

Vladan Milojević, coach of Red Star, gave high praise to FC Porto. For the 55-year-old Serbian coach, the Dragons are going through one of the best phases of the season and present themselves as strong contenders for winning the UEFA Europa League. "FC Porto looks imposing in all lines. I am sure they will fight for the Europa League trophy, so we are facing a very difficult task. We had an intense game over 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 undoubtedly one of the best coaches of the new generation. They demonstrate tremendous confidence and are extremely disciplined. It is up to us to respond to FC Porto's game and seize any opportunities that arise."

Farioli might 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: "I am not familiar with Farioli's plans. We know they have the Portuguese classic, but we need to take care of ourselves, be close to their level, and give everything. There will be changes compared to Celtic. It is inevitable. Although I am not a fan of rotation. I hope that in each subsequent UEFA match we play better than the previous one," he declared.

A representative voice from the locker room, forward Bruno Duarte – who made his mark in Portugal with Vitória de Guimarães and Farense – also anticipates a tough match. It will be the Brazilian player's sixth encounter against the Dragons, with defeats in all previous confrontations, although he has 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 and win. If I manage to score, 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. They are two giants in European football, but in the current setting, FC Porto is the big favorite. However, European games can bring surprises," warned the forward, who anticipates a challenging duel with Diogo Costa: "He is a goalkeeper 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 in my power 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.