Silaidopoulos on FC Porto clash: We can take something positive | OneFootball

Rio Ave travels to Estádio do Dragão at 8:30 PM this Sunday, in the 23rd round of the championship, seeking a response to the negative cycle of results they are experiencing.

"We deserved more from the last game (a 2-0 defeat to Moreirense), but we have to show the same determination, energy, and attitude, because it's important to demonstrate that we can master all the details," said coach Sotiris Silaidopoulos, emphasizing that controlling the "key moments" of the game will be essential to achieving a good result at Estádio do Dragão: "We have to be smart in our decisions and efficient. We know we will face an aggressive team with an excellent home record."

Do you perceive a different FC Porto in terms of aggressiveness compared to the start of the season? "It's an FC Porto missing important players; they are an excellent team to watch and analyze. They are good in intensity and use depth right in the second zone of the field. They have a specific style of play and are difficult to face. Being deprived of these players, they also lack some dynamics, but it's fair to say they are the best team in the championship, they are at the top. We expect a tough game, but we have to show character, strength, and be emotionally stable. Without the pressure of being emotionally out of control, we can take something positive from this game."

Did you pay special attention to defense on set pieces? "FC Porto is one of the strongest teams in this aspect. We have to find a solution for that; in the first leg, we were already losing 2-0 by the 60th minute from two set-piece situations. It's not just FC Porto; we have to find a way to stay focused on this aspect throughout all games."

Did you adopt a four-man defense - will that be the option for this match? "As I've said, formation is a part of our system. We are improving, of course, with more players available you can always improve. It's very positive that the team is flexible and has two formations. For us, it's more about the collective and how we approach the games."

Who can replace Tamble, suspended for this challenge? "Tamble will be important, he has already shown us that he can help. We have some ideas, some adjustments to make, and we have Blesa and Zoabi available. We might even surprise the opponent and change the way the 'nine' plays. But our approach is more collective, it's more about how the team will be on the field rather than a single element."

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