'They can't miss the opportunity to progress'

By Nick Teale
 
Porto have tried and failed to win on English soil on 13 occasions. Tonight, they want to make history with a win at Emirates Stadium.
 
The Portuguese champions hold a 2-1 aggregate lead over Arsenal going into the second leg of the Champions League clash with a place in the Quarter-Finals up for grabs.
 
However, their domestic form has been inconsistent this term. They are yet to amass more than three straight Portuguese Liga wins and find themselves 11 points off the top of the table with just eight games to play.
 
Porto were at Emirates Stadium on Monday evening for a pre-match training session and a news conference with manager Jesualdo Ferreira.
 
Among the Portuguese press pack attending the media event was Matilde Dias of daily newspaper Correio da Manha and Arsenal.com caught up with her to get a Porto perspective on this evening's game.

CAUSE FOR CONCERN
"Their public speech is quite cautious. Their coach Jesualdo Ferreira said at his pre-match press conference that one goal is not enough, so they want to score at Emirates Stadium because they cannot miss the opportunity of progressing to the next round. They have also been cautious because their League results are a mix of a great win - 5-1 over Braga - and a defeat against Sporting Lisbon and a 2-2 draw with Olhanense."

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FEVER
"Their League form gives extra motivation for the Champions League I think. They will give everything they have got in this game. I think they might be a bit relieved because Cesc Fabregas will not play. He is Arsenal's brain and is a very important player for the team."

THE ONE TO WATCH
"There is a feeling that Falcao is very excited for this game because there are rumours he wants to move to the Premier League. He has not said that in his own words but his parents gave an interview where they stated that it is his biggest wish. So I suppose he will be motivated for this game where the Premier League can see him."

TALKING TACTICS
"Ferreira has said that the team cannot make any mistakes against Arsenal because he knows how strong they are at home. Then they have the extra support of their fans. He is very cautious though. I don't think they would get tired if the game went to extra time. They are used to playing two games every week. I don't think it will be a problem."

IMPRESSIONS OF ARSENAL
"Statistics against Arsenal, such as the 4-0 defeat here last season, are perhaps more in their minds than games with other English sides. It is a different game, for example Manchester United [who knocked Porto out last season] do not play like Arsenal."

THE MAN IN CHARGE
"The coach has mentioned the possibility of extra time, which is very different to Arsène Wenger who said they did not practice penalties especially. But Ferreira said this game can have 90 or 120 minutes, so I think he is keeping all possibilities open. He is very afraid and really wants to progress to the next stage."

[Tuesday, March 09, 2010]

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