Hugo Oliveira on FC Porto: “They’re the most consistent, strongest side” | OneFootball

Famalicão is three matches away from reaching an unprecedented milestone: appearing at Jamor, in the final of the Portuguese Cup – a goal the team has never achieved, although they have come very close twice. The first obstacle on this path is FC Porto; the team from Minho will travel to Estádio do Dragão on Thursday to compete for a place in the next phase. Hugo Oliveira states that the intention is to secure qualification and promises that Famalicão will give everything to achieve this goal, aware, however, of the challenges ahead.

“FC Porto has been on a path that shows quality in their work, in the process. It has been a positive journey. FC Porto is leading the league with very interesting numbers and a strong emotional bond within the team. You can see how they unite in celebrations, and you understand that less favorable moments in the game don't shake that. But we live looking at ourselves. What brings us closer is that, within our characteristics and dimensions, we are teams that care more about themselves than the opponent. Each team will want to be true to its style, with different obligations, but with the same dreams. With different possibilities, but with opportunities for both sides,” analyzes the coach of the Minho team.

Despite being a knockout clash, Hugo Oliveira guarantees a bold team with the ambition to win. “It’s a great opportunity to compete and show quality against a strong opponent, who knows us well, and whom we know well. We want to show our way of being in every game, which is an assertive way to compete and win. This is a different competition. The Cup requires the game to be decided. There can only be one winner, and Famalicão plays to win. We will play to win and advance to the next round,” assures Hugo Oliveira.

The two teams have already met in the league, in a game favorable to FC Porto. Hugo Oliveira points out what was missing then and what can be changed this time. “We lacked some peace regarding that game. Playing with good, very capable teams requires peace and security to not stray from our game principles. We had good moments, but others where we couldn’t have the peace and serenity to navigate those paths. We went for the more emotional side, lost the ability to control the game, even without dominating, and in these games, you need that. FC Porto is a dominant, aggressive team. We need to have the ability to remain calm and serene amidst the fireworks. This is what we will show against these opponents. This season, we have had well-achieved performances, but against these opponents, we need to have more continuous performances. That’s what we will do tomorrow. The most important thing, however, is to reach the end and advance. The Cup requires passing rounds to reach the most beautiful day in Portuguese football. We dream of that and will work to get one step closer to Jamor,” he says.

The sequence of games is demanding – after visiting Dragão, Famalicão will travel to Luz to face Benfica – but Hugo Oliveira states that the focus is on the Cup and refuses to anticipate significant changes in the opposing team. He believes that competitive overload tends to have an emotional cost more than a physical one and that FC Porto’s routine, accustomed to playing throughout the week and on weekends, is a model to follow. These successive competitions, he says, are opportunities for learning and growth for players and the club. He also recalls that he has already made rotations in other matches, maintaining the team’s identity: “FC Porto has 20 starters, in my opinion. The changes are not very noticeable. In Famalicão,” he points out.

Francesco Farioli praised Hugo Oliveira, and shortly after, Hugo Oliveira praised Francesco Farioli. The Famalicão coach received with pleasure the words of recognition from his FC Porto counterpart before the clash between the two clubs this Thursday, in a match counting for the Portuguese Cup, in a duel that will put teams with contact points face to face.

“The ones who deserve congratulations are those leading the championship. Normally the table is truthful. FC Porto has been the most consistent, most capable team, possessing more power. The table shows that it is the team with the most points in the championship. It is a strong team, with many alternatives, that plays to win. Famalicão has a way of being in relation to its game intention, which looks at the opponent’s goal. But FC Porto knows its power, the quality of its teams. I understand that it identifies in some moments of the game with our team, we have a way of being in some relatively identifiable moments. We are teams that are simple to interpret, analyze. We are more difficult to stop. Simplicity is one of the most complex models to stop. FC Porto, by playing at home and being the club it is, has favoritism, but Famalicão also always fights for victory, and that’s what it will do at FC Porto’s home,” assures Hugo Oliveira.

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