João Henriques on the Dragão clash: “All the pressure is on FC Porto” | OneFootball

AVS SAD travels this Monday to Estádio do Dragão to face FC Porto (8:15 PM), with the ambition to win and achieve something no opponent has managed this season. João Henriques admits it will be a demanding task.

“It's a game that takes away much of the weight of responsibility. 100% of the responsibility is on the opponent's side. Everyone thinks we will lose at Dragão, except our group. We prepared for this game the same way as the others. I consider any opponent a good opportunity to score points, whether at home or away. The degree of difficulty, in this case, because it's against FC Porto, is high. If no one has beaten them yet, it's because it's not easy. They are in 1st place, deservedly. Their football has been appreciated from the start, for the intense way they present themselves. We are prepared to counter the opponent's dynamics, both defensively and offensively, at every moment of the game, with the same ambition,” he began by saying.

Challenges at Dragão: “We know that, in 10 games against these teams, you usually win one and draw another, it could be this one, tomorrow, at Dragão. Against FC Porto, as a coach, I've won, drawn, and lost most of the games. Playing at Dragão, with their winning dynamics, is facing a team that breathes confidence, unlike AVS.”

Week of work: “There's no comparison with previous weeks, because I arrived recently. But the group surprised me with the open and positive way they are embracing the ideas. Good atmosphere and good mood. They are also riding the wave of believing it's possible.”

Draw with Nacional: “I took positive insights from that game. We did very good things. The team's position in the table, as the rounds progress, makes it so that, at the moment of conceding the goal, there is fear of not winning again, and that brought back 'ghosts'. But they knew how to react, and that was a good sign. Even with 10 players, they showed the ability to face adversity. The players can do more than they have done so far. These are very special moments and the reactions are good indicators.”

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