27 September 2006, by Sean Gillen

Arsenal 2-0 FC Porto - Match Reaction

Porto Coach, Jesualdo Ferreira:

“Arsenal aren’t just a run-of-the-mill team as they proved both in the Premiership and in Europe last year.”

“We had a lot of trouble playing the ball out from behind as they really suffocated us and to let a goal in five minutes from the break was a hard blow,” he said.

“Defeats are never good, positive or even normal. But what they do is to give indications of what needs to be done for further problems in the future to be avoided. When you make the leap from domestic to European competition you need to really push yourself to the limit.”

“The only way that we can change this is by sheer hard work. I don’t know of any other solution that exists. The players did well by playing the game on a first name basis and not being scared of Arsenal, and I’m sure that they’ve got more to give.”

Porto now face a double-header with German side Hamburg, who are without a point from their opening two games. Ferreira’s men are likely to need a minimum of four points from the two matches, but the veteran tactician is hopeful that the players will turn things around.

“We may have two other teams ahead of us [CSKA Moscow and Arsenal] but there’s still time to get back on track. Our position in this group isn’t definitive – what we do in the next few games will shape how the group ends and I’m sure the lads will give their all.”

Arsenal 2-0 Porto - Match Report