Ferreira - One-goal lead is not enough

By Nick Teale
 
Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira believes his side's one-goal advantage over Arsenal will not be enough to progress to the Champions League Quarter-Finals
 
However, he is confident his team has the weapons to dispose of the Gunners on Tuesday night.
 
The Portuguese champions hold a 2-1 aggregate lead over Arsène Wenger's side going into the second-leg at Emirates Stadium. Despite their deficit Arsenal are the bookies' favourites to progress to the next round, and Ferreira believes Sol Campbell's away goal puts the Gunners in a strong position.
 
"There is a difference of one goal," he said at a pre-match press conference at Emirates Stadium on Monday evening. "But just one is not enough because their away goal puts Arsenal in a very good position.

"We have to fight and be positive if we are to qualify - last season we made it to the quarters, and our objective is to get there again.
 
"We know what our qualities are and we are confident. This will be a very difficult match, but we have the weapons which make it tough for Arsenal.

"You need to be able to adapt tactically, but we are always playing to win. We will try to do the same thing we did at Estadio do Dragao."
 
At his pre-match press conference on Monday, Arsène Wenger confirmed that Cesc Fabregas would miss the match at Emirates Stadium. However, Ferreira doesn't believe that will have too much of a bearing on the game.
 
"Fabregas not playing will not change the way Arsenal face this match," he claimed. "We can expect a very strong Arsenal tomorrow.
 
"The match will probably be decided by small details - Arsenal are very good in dealing with these, but we will focus on our own strength.
 
"Success always depends on the collective team, every player is part of that."

Porto have failed to win in 13 games on English soil, but that stat doesn't faze their coach Ferreira ahead of Tuesday night's trip to north London.
 
"There is always a first time [to win in England]," he said. "The game will be an elimination match, and we have never played against Arsenal in that before, so the opportunities are open for both teams."

[Tuesday, March 09, 2010]

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