Silaidopoulos on FC Porto: “We can take something positive” | OneFootball

Rio Ave travels to Estádio do Dragão at 8:30 PM this Sunday, in the 23rd round of the championship, seeking a response to the negative run of results they are currently experiencing.

“We deserved more from the last game (2-0 defeat to Moreirense), but we have to show the same determination, energy, and attitude, because it’s important to demonstrate that we can control all the details,” said coach Sotiris Silaidopoulos, emphasizing that controlling the “key moments” of the match will be essential to achieving a good result at Estádio do Dragão: “We have to be smart in our decisions and efficient. We know we’re going to face an aggressive team with an excellent home record.”

Do you see a different FC Porto from the one that started the season in terms of aggressiveness? “It’s an FC Porto missing some important players, but it’s an excellent team to watch and analyze. They’re strong in intensity and use depth right from the second zone of the pitch. They have a specific style of play and are difficult to face. Being deprived of those players, they also lack some dynamics, but it’s fair to say they are the best team in the league, they’re at the top. We expect a tough match, but we have to show character, strength, and be emotionally stable. Without the pressure of being emotionally out of control, we can take something positive from this game.”

Did you pay special attention to defending set pieces? “FC Porto is one of the strongest teams in that aspect. We have to find a solution for that; in the first round match, we were already losing 2-0 by the 60th minute from two set pieces. It’s not just FC Porto, we have to find a way to stay focused on that aspect in every game.”

You adopted a four-man defense—will that be the option for this match? “As I’ve said, formation is part of our system. We’re improving, and of course, with more players available, you can always improve. It’s very positive that the team is flexible and has two formations. For us, it’s more about the collective and how we approach the games.”

Who can replace Tamble, suspended for this match? “Tamble will be important, he’s already shown us he can help. We have some ideas, some adjustments to make, and we have Blesa and Zoabi available. We might even surprise the opponent and change the way the ‘number nine’ plays. But our approach is more collective, it’s more about how the team will be on the pitch than about any single player.”

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