Miguel Coelho: “We must respond after this defeat” | OneFootball

FC Porto were beaten by Benfica in the first match of the volleyball league semi-finals, 3-2, and Miguel Coelho stressed that “it is mandatory to react after a defeat, especially in a play-off” and guaranteed that “this group knows how to respond to a game like this”.

Looking back on a derby that “was affected” by the cards shown to Porto’s coaching staff, the coach criticised the refereeing team and said: “An experienced referee who knows what he is doing understands that this harms a team.”

Aspects to correct“There were some things left undone in the different sets, with the exception of the first, in which I think we put in a very solid performance. In the second, we made seven service errors, which really disrupts transitions. If we add that to the technical mistakes and net faults, it becomes too many errors in a semi-final against Benfica. In the third set we tried to find some alternatives to get back into the game and stop Benfica’s two outside hitters and one of their middle blockers. In the fourth set that was exactly what happened; we allowed them to run all their attacking plays through two of those players. In the fifth set, the game was very evenly balanced. They started well, especially in the battle of serve and reception, but we managed to get back into it and moved ahead. When we have that kind of lead in the fifth set, we have to win it, but that was what did not allow us to do so. We failed to stop Benfica’s two outside hitters, and that is something we need to improve.”

Focus on the second game“This group has always responded well under pressure. I feel we are physically in good shape. It is not a group in which we have felt fatigue during the championship and, therefore, it will not be the case now either. More important than physical preparation is being mentally ready to approach the game. If we had been the ones to win, we would still have had to be here working the day after tomorrow. This scenario changes nothing for us. We have to prepare for the game and understand what was in the plan that we failed to carry out. That is the team’s concern. Reacting after a defeat is mandatory, especially in a play-off, and I am sure this team knows how to respond to a game like this.”

Criticism of the refereeing“I never talk about refereeing. Never. Referees are part of the game and, because of that, we can also talk about them. Every time Nuno Teixeira officiates an FC Porto match, he affects the team by handing out cards, especially red cards and delay warnings. On top of that, he warns FC Porto’s coaches for absolutely everything. It is something I have already discussed with him personally and, deep down, we both understand that he exaggerates when he officiates FC Porto matches. This is not game management of any kind, it is simply handing out free cards, and I would remind you that a red card gives a point to the opposition. After a challenge, when we can see on the screens that the decision may raise doubts... this is not managing the game through cards and constant whistles toward the FC Porto bench. It is not the first or second time this has happened; I have even spoken to him personally about it, and today there was once again poor management that affected the game. That is not what referees are there for in a championship semi-final. When we can see a net fault on the screens, we have to question it. There was no abusive language; in fact, this last yellow card was because I asked the team captain what had been called. I got a yellow card because of that, which means if I cannot talk to the referee, or to the players, or to the bench, then he has to put tape over my mouth. This is not how you manage a semi-final. An experienced referee who knows what he is doing understands that this harms a team. It is necessary to understand what happened, to understand the context, and then, if there is abuse, cards should be shown. If there is not, he cannot himself be affected to the point of doing so. So, I honestly hope that the refereeing in this semi-final will not be about showing cards to FC Porto, because Benfica got zero. Since there were no reasons for that, I hope everyone comes to officiate a semi-final match and not to harm — or rather, to affect — FC Porto.”

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