PORTO QUOTES
"It's important that we try to score. We have had one or two 0-0s
in the past and it's not a comfortable situation to be in.
You never feel as though you have achieved a result that
makes you happy.
in the past and it's not a comfortable situation to be in.
You never feel as though you have achieved a result that
makes you happy.
"That's why our main job will be to try and score and hope
that gets us a result."
that gets us a result."
Fergie is not worried about losing Silvestre to injury:
"No-one likes to lose their best players. But we know it's part of
the modern game, that's why we have strong squads. We have
very good players who will fill in, so we will cope.
"No-one likes to lose their best players. But we know it's part of
the modern game, that's why we have strong squads. We have
very good players who will fill in, so we will cope.
"The tournament accelerates when it gets to the knockout
stage. I first came to Porto with Aberdeen in 1984 and they
have been winning championships ever since. We beat them in
the quarter-finals seven years ago but they have a stronger
side now than they had then.
stage. I first came to Porto with Aberdeen in 1984 and they
have been winning championships ever since. We beat them in
the quarter-finals seven years ago but they have a stronger
side now than they had then.
"This one is more aggressive and has a far higher work rate,
so we have to respect them. They are an attacking side and
they will want to win their home game, so we expect them to
come at us at some point."
so we have to respect them. They are an attacking side and
they will want to win their home game, so we expect them to
come at us at some point."
Porto coach Jose Mourinho:
“It's a round in which a 0-0 draw at home won't be a bad result as
we can try to surprise them away from here. I think the game
at Old Trafford will be vital and we will try to go there
with the round still open.”
we can try to surprise them away from here. I think the game
at Old Trafford will be vital and we will try to go there
with the round still open.”
Porto are missing Brazilian star Derlei and his fellow front man
Cesar Peixoto. Mourinho said, “How can I think of beating
Manchester United if I don't have the offensive weapons in
my hands?' Derlei and Cesar Peixoto are injured and Maciel
and Sergio Conceicao can't play because both have already
played for their former teams in UEFA competition this
season and are cup-tied.
Cesar Peixoto. Mourinho said, “How can I think of beating
Manchester United if I don't have the offensive weapons in
my hands?' Derlei and Cesar Peixoto are injured and Maciel
and Sergio Conceicao can't play because both have already
played for their former teams in UEFA competition this
season and are cup-tied.
“I think we must be realistic about the game. They [United] have
more players who pass the ball around and we are limited for
that game. I can't even do like last season in the UEFA Cup,
trying to kill the round at home in the first game, because
I don't have forwards for that.”
more players who pass the ball around and we are limited for
that game. I can't even do like last season in the UEFA Cup,
trying to kill the round at home in the first game, because
I don't have forwards for that.”
Porto midfielder Costinha is hoping to mark Scholes out of the
game:
game:
"I stopped Scholes (In the International friendly on Wednesday) and
I can do it again. Scholes is a very good player but I did
what the Portugal coach (Luis Felipe) Scolari told me to do
- I closed down his space and will look to do the same again
with Porto.
"He wasn't able to do more because I didn't give him space. He's
gifted technically and if you let him play he can do what he
wants. But I will make sure he doesn't get that chance.
"I think Porto have every chance of getting through. It's a very
good English team against a very good Portuguese team and we
have to take the chances when they come our way.”
I can do it again. Scholes is a very good player but I did
what the Portugal coach (Luis Felipe) Scolari told me to do
- I closed down his space and will look to do the same again
with Porto.
"He wasn't able to do more because I didn't give him space. He's
gifted technically and if you let him play he can do what he
wants. But I will make sure he doesn't get that chance.
"I think Porto have every chance of getting through. It's a very
good English team against a very good Portuguese team and we
have to take the chances when they come our way.”