The ‘dragons’ face the Israelites of Maccabi Tel Aviv in Serbia, a game that decides the future of the team in the Europa League and that marks the debut the new coach.
FC Porto needs to approach the visit to MacCabi Telavive, from the eighth and last day of the newcomer Argentine coach Martín Anselmi, on the eve of his debut for the ‘dragons’.
“I found a strong group, which trains very intensely, predisposed to work, is serious and wants better. We are prepared for the game and we can not lack intensity. We have to multiply efforts, compete and fight for each action to the end “He directed at a press conference.
Presented on Monday as successor to Vitor Bruno, Martín Anselmi directed three training before the clash with Israeli champion, who will decide the future of FC Porto in the Europa League and will be played in the capital of Serbia due to Israel’s military action in Palestine .
“These were intense days. We had a first day of recovery of the holders, we tried to incorporate some offensive matrices in the second and give today more focused concepts in the defensive part. It is a short time, but it is what we have. The first goal is that if you see a team Competitive, who tries to play in the opposing midfield, take care of the ball, recover it quickly when you don’t have it and are always thinking about the three points, “he said.
Thanks to score to secure a place in the play-off
Thanks to score to continue in the race, FC Porto leaves for the decisive journey in the 25th position of the eight points, just below 16 entry vacancies in the Play-Off access to the round of 16, intended for the round of 16 Positioned teams from ninth to 24th place, while MacCabi Telavive is 29th, with six points and fresh chances of qualification.
“We have to be a little careful with the message. It is a decisive game, but being thinking of it alien us completely to compete. We have to be focused on the game plan. The better we will, the closer we will be the result we want,” admitted.
Trusting on the individual squad skills, Martín Anselmi explained that the defensive process designed for FC Porto “is more controllable” as “it depends on concentration and an order”, while the attacker varies according to the opponent’s stance.
“As a technical team, we really enjoyed the offensive phase, we work a lot and give you several possible solutions to players because of what we believe our opponent can do. In addition, we have players able to attack the opposite goal. Gradually, let’s go Incorporating our philosophy, essence and game model, “he said.
Five games without winning
Involved in the first series of five games without winning in the various races since 2016/17, the ‘dragons’ come from a home draw against Santa Clara (1-1), in a matchday 19 of the First League where the extreme Brazilian Galeno wasted two great penalties, the last already in compensation time.
“It’s football. Anything can happen. Of course, no one likes to fail, but we are exposed to it and we are professional. From there, understanding that we have to live with uncomfortable situations, the goal is to be in this disturbance. Well. We have to focus on the present and the following action.
Alongside Anselmi, goalkeeper and Captain Diogo Costa reported the “very good first impressions” about the new coach and the collective will to build “very good things”, starting with FC Porto’s first victory in 2025.
“I cannot say that there is no pressure, but we have to be prepared to deal with it. We want to compete with the thought in victory. At this time, we need a lot of personality and character. The attitude has to be there constantly,” he said.
FC Porto, 25th classified, with eight points, visits MacCabi Telavive, 29th, with six, on Thursday, at 21:00 local (20:00 in Lisbon), at Estádio do Partizan, in Belgrade , on the eighth and last round of the Europa League League phase under the refereeing of Montenegrino Nikola Dabanovic.
Lame
