Farioli: “We’re playing Benfica, not Mourinho” | OneFootball

Francesco Farioli, FC Porto's coach, comments on Sunday's match against Benfica, where José Mourinho will be the opponent on the bench:

Preparation for the match

«We tried to prepare for the game with great attention. We watched the last four games (of Benfica), but also some previous experiences, especially from the time Mourinho spent in England. We tried to decipher what might happen. I wasn't the only one doing this work in the best way possible. We did our job, and tomorrow, we will play against a very good team, a Champions League team, that comes here to compete at the highest level. We have to be prepared».

Handshake between Mourinho and Farioli

«Regarding the hug, I reciprocate, and tomorrow, we will shake hands personally. As for the rest, there are many things that affect performance, everything has a certain importance. There are tactical aspects, but also personal ones, the clubs' own dynamics. There are many factors that mix in football. But tomorrow's game is important for us, we have to be very well prepared. We trained today, and tomorrow, we will have the day to try to prepare for the game in the best possible way and approach the game with the right spirit. That's the most important thing, because every plan, without the right “fire,” is not enough».

«Tomorrow's game has three possible outcomes. We have to give our best, knowing where we came from. Last season, the games against Benfica cost Porto a lot. They conceded eight goals and only scored two. That shows the opponent's value. We have to give our all to make the fans happy».

«It's an important game, we can't deny it, but it won't be decisive. There are still many games left, many things can happen, and therefore, it will just be an important game».

Mourinho as a reference

«We are talking about one of the most successful coaches, who has won many trophies. His track record is incredible, and he is one of the most special people in football. What he represents for football is notable. I've already said that he is a reference for me, he has all my respect. In recent years, he has had experiences in various countries. He did an amazing job at Roma, where he won the Conference League. It's a mix of feelings, but I know how difficult it is to compete in these environments. The priority is tomorrow's game. We are going to play against Benfica, not against Mourinho. We have to keep our minds focused on the game's dynamics. We have three, four, or even five scenarios that we can expect before and during the game. We have to be ready for everything, despite the few days we had to prepare».

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