Vitor Pereira acknowledges that Porto are favourites for the title in the upcoming season – Report
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 coach Vitor Pereira has acknowledged that although his side are favourites to land the Portuguese title in the upcoming campaign, they would have to be better than last season and fight off competition from their big-spending rivals.
Top clubs like Sporting Lisbon and Benfica are also in contention for silverware but the Portistas have the upper hand in terms of squad quality and winning mentality.
Conquering not only the Portuguese Primeira Liga but the UEFA Europa League as well, Estadio do Dragao outfit are not short of quality that is inbred with a desire to win more and more trophies.
Armed to the teeth with players like http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436 and Joao Moutinho, one would expect Vitor Pereira to be confident of another successful campaign but instead the tactician claimed that his side would have to do even better to match their heroics
of the previous season.
“Favourites for the title? I accept that in place at that level but we must be stronger than last year ", Pereira was quoted as saying.
The Dragons face their Super Cup opponents, Vitoria Guimaraes, once again in the opening encounter of the new season but Pereira was eager to point out that victories in the past did not mean much in present.
“Playing in Guimarães is never easy, just remember the game last year, when we lose there first points (1-1). We have deep knowledge of each other, the opponent is very competitive, but we believe in victory.” He added.
While Porto have a nearly fit squad to choose from, star midfielder Joao Moutinho was ruled out for the trip to Guimarães and is amongst the injury list at the helm.
Speaking to reporters, Vitor Pereira backed the Selecao International for a speedy recovery and said that he expected him to feature soon.
“It's part of the daily life of a great club to have players in teams. Let's hope they recover well.” He concluded.
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