Five days after the 'crazy' derby against Benfica, with a 5-0 thrashing, FC Porto returns to compete in the I League, this Friday, on the trip to Portimonense's stronghold, precisely before discussing access to the 'quarterfinals' of the Champions League, against Arsenal, on Tuesday.

The dragons visit a territory that has been largely peaceful in recent years, so much so that they no longer know what it is like to 'slip' in Portimão since 1989 (1-1), and it is necessary to go back to 1987 to recover the last victory of the Algarve against the emblem of the Invicta city.

The team led by Paulo Sérgio is not going through a good moment, since it has not won any of the last five games, despite having 'drawn' two draws as a visitor, against Vitória SC (1-1) and Vizela (0-0). Sérgio Conceição's team, on the other hand, has not known what it is like to lose for precisely... five matches.

The game is scheduled to start at 6:45 pm (Continental Portugal time) this Friday, refereed by Artur Soares Dias, and you can follow the incidents of the match, live, at Desporto ao Minuto.

Coaches in direct speech

Paulo Sérgio:

Looking to score points: "It's not easy. They are completely different levels, but it is our obligation to try to create a strategy and an idea that we all believe will make it possible to get something out of this game, be it one point, be it three. It is to enter the field to work for it throughout the game."

Making the task difficult: "Since I've been here, there have been several times when we've made things quite difficult for FC Porto, but we also know that for 30 and I don't know how many years Portimonense hasn't beaten FC Porto."

Moment of the opponent: "This is a game of strength, of balance and, therefore, the more competent we are in the roles and missions of each one, the closer we will be to being able to compete with a team that has much more qualities and more potential. It is by balancing all these things, and with a very great collective sense, that we can complicate the lives of the strongest teams."

Sérgio Conceição:

Analysis of Portimonense: "I expect a difficult and championship game, against a team that manages to complicate the lives of their opponents in their stadium. I remember some games in Portimão, in which we won at the last minute. It will be a complicated task that is part of these battles that happen in the championship. The game depends a lot on what we do and understanding what could happen to the opponent. The game will be complicated because Paulo [Sérgio] has changed systems. It's hard to analyze. We have to prepare for various scenarios, taking into account for the front men, especially the two wingers, who are very fast. It is true that Pedrão was sent off, but they have other strong players. We have to play our game and go looking for the three points that will allow us to continue in this fight." 

Management in Portimão?: "Portimonense is four points behind eighth place. Management? I can't think - I never have and I'm going to do it... Only in exceptional cases: a player who is limited and can aggravate the situation, that's when I think. No coach prepares two games at the same time. If I'm thinking about London, we're sure to have a setback in Portimão. We don't want that. After the good we did, where we won three points from our rival, not following up on that would be bad for the team at all levels. The focus is Portimonense. We will have a lot of difficulties and we don't need to create more difficulties".

Impact of the thrashing against Benfica: "It's good that people understand... I believe that playing against Benfica can have a lot of weight for the fans, but for us it's just another game. We don't celebrate victories, we celebrate titles. If there was any more exaggerated celebration, I take this opportunity to apologize. That was not the intention. We are a club that when we win we have... I know that this week a photograph came out that I didn't like and I've already spoken to the players. Because here we don't celebrate anything. We celebrate at the end, if we have a reason to do so. I don't like some situations, not because of our fault. We weren't the ones who came out here with this, it was other people. But we shouldn't have done it and I've already had the opportunity to talk to my players. We are a serious, hardworking group that respects the opponent".

Latest results

Portimonense: L-D-D-L-D

FC Porto: W-W-D-W-W

Latest starting lineups

Portimonense: Kosuke Nakamura, Igor Formiga, Alemão, Pedrão, Filipe Relvas, Dener, Lucas Ventura, Sylvester Jasper, Carlinhos, Hélio Varela and Hildeberto Pereira.

FC Porto: Diogo Costa, João Mário, Pepe, Otávio Ataíde , Wendell, Nico González, Alan Varela, Francisco Conceição, Pepê, Wenderson Galeno and Evanilson.

Absences

Portimonense: Pedrão (suspended).

FC Porto: Gonçalo Ribeiro, Zaidu and Marcano (injured); Wendell (in doubt),

Also Read: From thrashings to the 'revolving door'. FC Porto and Portimonense meet again (Portuguese version)