Mangala: “Sorry, Estoril pals, but I want FC Porto to win it” | OneFootball

Eliaquim Mangala is in Bolivia, where he plays for modest Oriente Petrolero, but the journey of the French centre-back, now 35, has taken him through major stages, titles, and two spells in Portuguese football: FC Porto and Estoril. A two-time national champion with the Dragons, in 2011/12 and 2012/13, he then moved on to clubs such as Manchester City, Everton and Valencia, returning to Portugal in 2023, which he left last year after two seasons with the Canaries.

In Amoreira, he admits he built and left behind strong ties, but for Sunday’s match between the Canaries and the Dragons, his wish is clear: a blue-and-white victory, with the title in sight. “To be honest, I want FC Porto to be champions. I know I have many friends at Estoril and I hope they forgive me, but I want FC Porto to be champions. So I’m leaning more towards an FC Porto win. I hope Estoril play a good game, but this year I want to see FC Porto become champions,” begins the experienced French international in an interview with the newspaper Record.

Mangala believes the challenge is “decisive” for Francesco Farioli’s team, “obliged” to win on a ground that, he recalls, has historically tended to be complicated for the Dragons. “It’s a more important game for FC Porto than for Estoril, because it will be decisive. History says it is always a difficult challenge, especially away from home, for FC Porto, but now there is extra pressure. However, anyone who wants to be champions has to win anywhere. FC Porto have everything in their own hands and want to win. Estoril will play with motivation, they want a good result and to put in a good performance. It will be a hard-fought game and FC Porto have to be at their best. If they want to be champions, they have to win this game. It’s ‘yes or yes',” he says.

On Porto’s chronic difficulties in Amoreira, Mangala recalled the 2023/24 season, in which the Canaries played four matches against FC Porto and won three. “Even in my time at FC Porto, I lost at Estoril. There is a history that doesn’t just date from today. Last year FC Porto won at Estoril, but it’s true that the 23/24 season was incredible in that sense. I don’t know whether Benfica or Sporting have ever beaten FC Porto three times in the same season. It is something we will always remember, and in Portugal too. We made history and it is always a good memory,” he notes.

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