FC Porto coach Paulo Freitas expressed confidence in his team’s hard-fought Continental Cup semi-final victory, setting the stage for an emotionally charged final against his former club.
Freitas stated that the triumph against Spanish side Igualada was “without contestation,” even though the match was decided by penalties. He acknowledged the semi-final was challenging.
He described Igualada as a physically strong team that defended with low lines, packing many players into their penalty area. FC Porto’s strategy was to “shrink them and stretch them” to create scoring opportunities.
The coach felt his team was aggressive, dynamic, and intense, producing enough chances to score more goals during the match. The defensive tactics of their opponents, however, complicated finishing.
FC Porto will now face OC Barcelos in the final. Freitas holds a deep connection to Barcelos, stating he is “very grateful” and was “very happy” there, but also grateful for the opportunity given by FC Porto.
He expects a “mix of sensations” at the start of the final due to his past. His ultimate goal, however, is to “be happy again,” which means winning the title.
Freitas emphasized his philosophy that “finals are not for playing, finals are for winning.” The immediate priority for his team is player recovery and a fresh analysis of their upcoming opponent.