Porto coach Sergio Conceicao mentioned he’s uneasy about dealing with Chelsea in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg so quickly after they endured a shock 5-2 defeat at residence to West Bromwich Albion.
Saturday’s thumping by the hands of relegation-fighting West Brom was Chelsea’s first defeat in 15 video games in all competitions below Thomas Tuchel. It was all of the extra stunning because the Blues had conceded solely twice of their earlier 14 video games.
“I wished they had won the last game rather than lost,” Conceicao informed a information convention.
“A defeat like that serves as a warning, it sets the alarm bells off and makes everyone more alert to danger. Chelsea had been very strong until this game, they have the second-best defence in the Champions League and are a strong side.
“Their last game barely formed part of our analysis of them, I’m more focused on what they did against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, for example. Chelsea have several strengths that will be a real challenge for us to overcome.”
The first leg is Porto’s “home” recreation within the tie, though each matches are being performed in Spain at Seville’s Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan due to restrictions on journey between Portugal and England.
Conceicao’s facet knocked out Juventus within the final 16 on away targets, and the coach described Chelsea as an identical calibre of membership to the Serie A champions.
“They are two of the best teams in the world with players that need no introduction, but we’re prepared,” he mentioned.
“We’re a historic club who can beat anyone with our spirit and quality, even though we don’t have the money they do.”
Porto can have to make do on Wednesday with out Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi, who was despatched off within the second leg in opposition to Juve, plus Portuguese midfielder Sergio Oliveira, who scored each strikes in that recreation and can also be suspended.
Team captain Pepe additionally emphasised his facet’s underdog standing however was assured they might beat Chelsea.
“Their squad is worth around 700 million euros but that won’t be felt on the pitch. They have great players, but we have prepared (for) the game well,” he mentioned.
“If we keep believing in the work we’re doing and follow what the coach tells us, we’ll have a great chance of getting through.”
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