“The Portuguese Cup is still missing” – Observer
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No turf, players’ euphoria. In the locker room, euphoria from the technical team. In the Allies, adepts’ euphoria. N/A quick interview and press conference, calm and serenity of the coach: the national champion for the third time ahead of FC Porto, Sérgio Conceição. At the launch of the match, the coach had already warned: the classic was prepared “with charm and not with euphoria”. “These are different things” shot the Porto leader at the game’s preview press conference.
The euphoria was general but Sérgio Conceição left that role to others. In the initial analysis, he assumed a calm and serene posture. But, for the avoidance of doubt, we guarantee: “I’m obviously happy. There are many ways to manifest joy. I’m more effusive on the bench living the game than partying. But I feel enormous joy.” And, in the press conference after the game, he goes on to explain the calm demeanor:
In these moments, I feel an urge to relax on an emotional level. I get a nostalgic feeling: I remember some important people in my life, without a professional and personal life. I’m not the ideal trainer for post-conquest conferences. It is what it is. If I talk about this, I run the risk of getting too emotional to go around and start not starting.
And made a special dedication: “My family suffers a lot from my profession. I dedicate this title to them and, obviously, as I always do in the achievements I have throughout my life, also to my late parents”.
The 58 unbeaten games that brought the best record ever: FC Porto’s unbeaten run that only collapsed in Braga
At the press conference, Sérgio Conceição was asked several times about the future. replied vaguely, without ever guaranteeing the clear form that will continue at the blue and white helm next season. “My future is to try to win the Portuguese Cup”. And continuous, in a way of balance of the five years in front of FC Porto: “It has been a difficult and exhausting journey. We have rivals with a lot of weight and a lot of strength and today I feel happy with the achievements”.
Sérgio Conceição also spoke about the strategy for the Clásico and praises: “We were very smart.” And he explains why: “We were prepared, if we had the ball, to dismantle Benfica’s organization and, if we didn’t have it, to know what we had to do to not allow when exploiting its strengths”.
As for the referee’s criticism of the refereeing, the national coach is here to respond.
already in quick interview from BTV, Conceição stated that this was “a typical end-of-season game”. He defended: “It was a deserved victory. We were the best team, which performed fantastically.
“I didn’t think about the draw, but we sailed and prepared for it”, still claims.
In the preview of the match, he had already warned: “I’m focused on the game and I don’t want jokes”. But the “grace” repeated itself: FC Porto once again celebrates winning a national championship at Estádio da Luz, with a 1-0 victory, with a goal from Zaidu near the end of the game.
In the locker room, Sérgio Conceição was more comfortable with celebrating.
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And he left the warning: “Maybe on the 22nd (in the final of the Portuguese Cup) see me with a bigger smile. That title is still missing.”