Dragão Arena buzzing for play-off semi-final derby | OneFootball

FC Porto and Sporting face off this Wednesday from 8:00 pm at the Dragão Arena in the opening match of the national roller hockey championship play-off semi-finals.

The Dragons go into this tie after knocking out Oliveirense in the quarter-finals with two wins, 2-0 on aggregate (7-1 and 4-3). Gonçalo Alves says FC Porto will “do everything within our reach to win”. The Porto forward stressed that the blue-and-white side go into this game “in a good moment” and that he is “confident we can put in a good performance”, with the aim of “continuing to fight for a third straight title”.

“The teams are very evenly matched, they have great players and a very strong collective. We know every scenario is possible, but we want the Dragão Arena to be our fortress. We are focused on ourselves, our strength and our desire to win,” said the 32-year-old Portugal international.

Sporting reach the championship semi-finals after beating Valongo in the quarter-finals, also with two wins and no defeats (6-4 and 4-1).

Sporting coach Edo Bosch wants a team that reflects what it has already shown it can do this season and highlighted the importance of the fine margins in what he expects to be closely contested games against FC Porto. “They are two teams that know each other very well and I don’t think there will be any big surprises. The fine margins will make the big difference and those details will be decided by the artists who produce them,” said the Spanish coach. “It will have to be a Sporting side like it has often been this season, with a strong personality in defence and then a dynamic attack like we have shown in many games and many finals,” added the 50-year-old Bosch.

In the other semi-final, on Thursday, Benfica and OC Barcelos will contest the first match of the tie that will decide the second finalist. The game is scheduled for Thursday (9:00 pm) at the Pavilhão da Luz. The Eagles secured their place in this stage with two wins over Sanjoanense (10-1 and 2-1), while the Roosters also progressed with a pair of victories against HC Braga (7-4 and 4-3).

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