Benfica academy product gutted after Estoril-Porto: It's frustrating | OneFootball

On the same day that Benfica hosted and beat Nacional, Estoril suffered a defeat at home to Porto, seeing the dragons pull even further clear at the top of the league. At the end of the match, João Carvalho, a player developed at Benfica and one of Estoril’s stars, did not hide his frustration with Ian Cathro’s side’s current situation.

Analysis: "We were not able to match their intensity. When that happens, it becomes easier for the other side. We started badly, reacted a little after the first goal, with one or two half-chances. Porto made it 2-0 from a set piece and 3-0 from another set piece, so in a bad game from us, it was decided by details. We still have objectives to achieve and that is what we are going to focus on".

What was the team missing? "We knew the dynamic they apply, because they have done it from the start, and it is difficult to counter. Many teams try and cannot manage it. Today, intensity made the difference, as did second balls and duels. In the second half, we came back better, but maybe Porto also allowed us to play more because of the scoreline. We leave proud of what we did in the second half and we cannot repeat the first".

Season assessment: "The number of points we have at the moment is a frustration. We could have more, but because of some slip-ups and because we were unable to make the jump to fight for other objectives at the right moments. May it serve as a lesson for this club in the years to come".

It should be remembered that, after 29 rounds of the Liga Portugal Betclic, the final standings are increasingly becoming a reality. As for the big three, Benfica remain in third place with 69 points, behind Sporting, who have 71 points, although the lions still have a game in hand against Tondela. At the top are Porto, who have 76 points.

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