“We have to be an aggressive, high-pressing team, Porto-style” | OneFootball

After six straight wins, FC Porto’s under-17 team is preparing to host SC Braga on Sunday at 11:00am, with live coverage on Porto Canal, at the Estádio de Pedroso, in a match from the 11th round of the Championship Qualification Phase of the National U-17 Championship. Coach José João warned that on the other side will be “a very competent team with a very experienced coach,” although “it is a team whose game we know well,” and reinforced the demands on the Dragons: “We have to be very focused and very humble if we want to get another three points.” Midfielder Rodrigo Barbosa said the group is “extremely motivated” and wants “the three points” in their return home. FC Porto lead the table on their own with 28 points, nine more than SC Braga and 11 more than Sporting and Benfica.

José João

Good results“The key has really been consistency, the way we have approached the matches. We have been professional and competent. The team is always focused on the next game and not on what is behind us. That has led us to be consistent and, above all, we have been competent. That is what we want to keep doing.”

SC Braga“They are a great opponent. They are a very competent team with a very experienced coach, who has already been national champion at this level. They are an opponent who knows the league well and whose game we know well. We have to be at our best and understand when to press and when to keep the ball. We have to be an aggressive, pressing team, Porto-style. Right now they are our most direct rival and they want to beat us to keep their dream alive.”

1-0 win in Braga“Games are always different. At the time, it was a very difficult and important game for us. The team had to exceed itself to manage to win that match; we were down to 10 men for more than 30 minutes. We are getting closer and closer to the end, and that always brings greater pressure. We have to be very focused and very humble if we want to get another three points.”

Consistency and competence“We have all talked a lot about how consistency and competence have been our pillars. We have worked very hard and have greatly fostered group cohesion since day one. The team is increasingly united and aware of what it has to do. We do not want to stray from our principles, and that way we are closer to winning. We never stop being who we are.”

Rodrigo Barbosa

Motivation is at its highest“The team is extremely motivated. SC Braga are in second place and we are fully aware that it will be a difficult home game. They want to close the gap, but we are here to take the three points.”

The week of work“We have worked at full intensity all week and I am sure we will get the three points. Playing at home always makes things easier, and I call on all the fans who can come to support us.”

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