Filipe Coelho says Casa Pia are stronger: 'We'll hurt FC Porto' | OneFootball

After picking up their first point in the Betclic League against V. Guimarães (0-0), Casa Pia are preparing to host the leaders and reigning national champions, FC Porto. Previewing the match, geese head coach Filipe Coelho said the result from the previous round “will carry more weight” than the home win over the Dragons last season (2-1).

“Obviously, we have the opportunity to combine both ideas, as a result of our team’s growth and what we showed in Guimarães. We haven’t forgotten, and neither have FC Porto, the result we achieved last year, but I prefer to focus more on the present and what lies ahead. And what lies ahead is a growing Casa Pia that, now with all the pieces in place after the transfer window closed, is undoubtedly stronger, and in this next step faces a very strong FC Porto side that will make our task very difficult,” said Filipe Coelho, assuring that Casa Pia are “a very different team” from the one thrashed by Benfica in the second round (0-7).

“We have to understand our strengths and the strengths of an FC Porto side that has very, very strong qualities. An extremely aggressive team, very intense in the press, going man-to-man across the whole pitch, with very high pressure. We have to be smart and understand how we can escape that pressure. We know it’s important to stop the very strong momentum FC Porto will try to impose from the very first minute. And we also know that, as time goes by, things will tilt more in our favour in terms of game management. I believe we’ll be able to have the ball at certain moments and hurt FC Porto a little, because that’s what we want,” he added.

The 41-year-old coach also addressed Victor Froholdt’s absence from the Porto squad, although he does not see that loss as an added advantage for the geese. “Not having Froholdt on the other side means not having one of the best players in the league present in the spectacle we all want to promote, one that is more positive and of the highest possible quality. Naturally, if Froholdt isn’t there, someone else will be in his place to cause us problems. We’re not happy about it, also because of the way it happened,” he said.

Ivan Mandic stood out in Casa Pia’s goal in Guimarães after coming on in the first half to replace the injured André Gomes. Filipe Coelho revealed this Friday that the goalkeeper on loan from Benfica will be out for some time and confirmed Mandic as the starter against the Dragons.

“André Gomes has torn his adductor longus and will be out for some time. There was no special preparation in relation to Ivan, Patrick, Dani or the other goalkeepers. That preparation is special every week; we look at it in detail and they all go through it in a special way. We’re pleased with the way Ivan [Mandic] helped the team and was ready to play his first minutes for Casa Pia in an exemplary and impactful way. He kept a clean sheet for us, so tomorrow he will start,” he said.

Filipe Coelho was also asked about Patrick Sequeira, Casa Pia’s first-choice goalkeeper in recent seasons, who has yet to play a single minute this campaign. “He has always worked in an exemplary way and with a fantastic work ethic in helping the group of goalkeepers. There was a plan, which was to prepare his departure. It was in sync with the player and the club. In the end, it didn’t happen and, with André’s injury aside, I’m happy to be able to count on another good goalkeeper. Patrick will be an option, like everyone else in the other positions, to work and look for his opportunity,” he argued.

Livolant was another topic addressed, following the disciplinary measure applied during the transfer window. The coach confirmed that the French winger will remain unavailable for the match against FC Porto and explained what stage the process is at. “Livolant is following a return protocol, obviously it’s not a ‘return to play’ protocol as if he were injured; it was part of a disciplinary process, and he had been out for some time. He is following that protocol with the performance department,” he explained.

Casa Pia face FC Porto this Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Rio Maior Municipal Stadium, in a match for the sixth round of the Betclic League. José Bessa, from the Porto Football Association, will be the referee.

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