FC Porto travel to rock bottom Vitoria Setubal on Sunday knowing that a strong end to the campaign to snatch the Liga ZON Sagres title from leaders Benfica is increasingly looking like the only salvation from a disappointing season.
The 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City in the Europa League on Thursday further fuelled the considerable criticism that has been thrown the way of coach Vítor Pereira.
“We haven’t got the luxury of being able to drop points,” said Pereira. He’s right. Trailing Benfica by five points, and with a rampant Braga waiting for a slip-up to take 2nd place, anything other than a win at struggling Vitória will be a disaster for the Dragons.
Although facing the team propping up the rest of the table, and one that Porto have beaten twice this season, Pereira knows that his side will have to work hard for the victory.
“I expect difficulties . We’re going to face a side that will be motivated by the appointment of a new coach. And the fact we have beaten them twice makes it even harder for us. The more we play teams the more they recognise our qualities and find solutions against us,” added Pereira.
The good news for Porto is that new striker Marc Janko is available again after missing the Europa League clash against City because he was ineligible. The giant Austrian forward has scored in each of his two games since signing for Porto in the January transfer window.
Sapunaru, Otamendi and Iturbe also return to Porto’s match day squad after missing out in midweek.
Veteran coach José Mota is back in the dugout of a top-flight team having been hired by Setúbal this week to replace Bruno Ribeiro.
“I expect a very strong FC Porto, full of determination to win after their poor result,” said Mota. “But we are also strong and ambitious. Playing FC Porto is great motivation for us.”
Kick-off at the Bonfim at 6.15 pm local time on Sunday.
“We haven’t got the luxury of being able to drop points,” said Pereira. He’s right. Trailing Benfica by five points, and with a rampant Braga waiting for a slip-up to take 2nd place, anything other than a win at struggling Vitória will be a disaster for the Dragons.
Although facing the team propping up the rest of the table, and one that Porto have beaten twice this season, Pereira knows that his side will have to work hard for the victory.
“I expect difficulties . We’re going to face a side that will be motivated by the appointment of a new coach. And the fact we have beaten them twice makes it even harder for us. The more we play teams the more they recognise our qualities and find solutions against us,” added Pereira.
The good news for Porto is that new striker Marc Janko is available again after missing the Europa League clash against City because he was ineligible. The giant Austrian forward has scored in each of his two games since signing for Porto in the January transfer window.
Sapunaru, Otamendi and Iturbe also return to Porto’s match day squad after missing out in midweek.
Veteran coach José Mota is back in the dugout of a top-flight team having been hired by Setúbal this week to replace Bruno Ribeiro.
“I expect a very strong FC Porto, full of determination to win after their poor result,” said Mota. “But we are also strong and ambitious. Playing FC Porto is great motivation for us.”
Kick-off at the Bonfim at 6.15 pm local time on Sunday.
