Sergio Conceicao reveals FC Porto ‘pressed all the strong points’ to neutralise Juventus and were ‘strategically excellent,’ but the Champions League tie remains open.
The former Lazio, Parma and Inter player achieved quite a coup with this 2-1 win over Juve, although it was 2-0 until a late Federico Chiesa strike.
Sergio Conceicao reveals FC Porto ‘pressed all the strong points’ to neutralise Juventus and were ‘strategically excellent,’ but the Champions League tie remains open.
The former Lazio, Parma and Inter player achieved quite a coup with this 2-1 win over Juve, although it was 2-0 until a late Federico Chiesa strike.
“It’s disappointing we conceded that goal, as for 71 minutes we kept Juve quiet and neutralised them defensively,” the coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“We pressed all the strong points of Juve, including Adrien Rabiot in the middle, while Chiesa is very good at cutting inside and taking men on, Ronaldo is incredible in the box.
“Porto were strategically excellent tonight, but we’re only half-way through the tie. We need to be this strong in every moment of the game to reach the quarter-finals.
“We made two or three errors defensively on the goal we conceded. There’s another game to be played, we need to continue at this level, remaining focused in every moment, because at the slightest error, you risk conceding.
“That is what happened, because for about 70 minutes Juve didn’t create a single chance. Moussa Marega managed to block Rabiot, we blocked other Juve players to stop them creating the play from the back.
“Our performance was not spectacular, as we had to defend more than attack, but at this level against Juve, that’s what you have to do.”
The second leg is in Turin on March 9 and Porto go in with the 2-1 lead, but know a 1-0 defeat would knock them out on away goals.
“We need to be rigorous defensively and then make the most of any errors. Juve are the ones who need to chase the result, but that doesn’t mean we are going there just to defend, otherwise we will concede eventually.
“If they have Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala and others back, that will give them very different characteristics, but we will study Juve carefully and be prepared, because we want to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.”
Conceicao is no stranger to Serie A and was asked if he could return to Italy as a coach.
“I miss Italy and it will always be in my heart. I don’t know, you can never tell!”