We have to continue to be positive, says FC Porto's Nicolas Otamendi- Report
FC Porto’s Nicolas Otamendi claims that despite crashing out of the UEFA Champions League, the club must remain positive and look to retain their status in the league.
The Portistas bowed out of Europe’ premier competition with the draw against Zenit St. Petersburg but the defender insists that they have to bounce back and try their luck in the UEFA Europa League.
Vitor Pereira’s men faced a tough task going into their vital encounter against Russian giants, Zenit St. Petersburg. With the match being played at Estadio do Dragao, the pressure was on the home side to deliver but they failed to grind out the necessary
result despite their best efforts.
Porto needed nothing other than three points to ensure their qualification to the knock-out rounds and although they played their socks off, Zenit were able to hold them to a goalless draw.
Hulk, James Rodriguez and Kleber were all determined to find that elusive goal and began the game with the aim of finding the back of the net. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Djalma-c11359 started things off and got close to netting the opener, but the heroics of Malafeev denied him early on.
The Russians faced a bombardment of attacks by the hosts but managed to keep things level going into half-time, with Rodriguez and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436 narrowly missing out.
After the break, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vitor-c36281 Pereira fielded Kleber instead of Steven Defour and went for the win. His side continued to pile on the pressure on the opposition, but goalkeeper, Malafeev, was in fine form and guarded his posts with uncommon agility.
He thwarted all attempts made by Porto and at the end; the score board remain unchanged, which effectively signalled an end to the Dragons’ run in the UEFA Champions League.
After the match, Nicolas Otamendi was keen to raise the morale of the side and insisted that although they played very well, they did not take their chances and as a result were rightfully eliminated from the tournament.
"We played a good game but Zenit played very closely. It was very difficult to score but still but we created a variety of chances. We feel a great sadness that we have to sit out such an important competition. We are aware that we are out, but the group
is well and united.”
He also added that now the club must focus their attention on the league and also try to conquer the UEFA Europa League after bowing out of the Champions League.
"We have to keep a positive mindset and we must try secure first place in the league. We have to give good displays until the season ends. We will also try to win the Europa League,” Nicolas Otamendi was quoted as saying.
FC Porto's next game will be against Beira-Mar on the 11th of December.
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