An FC Porto with wounded pride will stride out onto the pitch on Sunday evening and attempt to redeem themselves in front of their fans against Feirense.
The 4-0 defeat against Manchester City in England on Wednesday brought the defense of their Europa League title to an uncomfortably abrupt end.
The tie against the Premier League leaders also came with the added cost of injuries to Danilo and Otamendi, although the latter may recover in time to face Feirense.
Perhaps Pereira's biggest task ahead of the match will be to focus the players' minds on the job at hand. Just five days later comes potentially the Portuguese championship decider against Benfica in Lisbon.
If Pereira needs to remind his charges of the threat posed by Feirense, he need only point to the first match between the two sides in September. Then, as now, the team from Santa Maria de Feira were struggling near the foot of the table, but they managed to hold out for a goalless draw.
Porto left-back Alex Sandro emphasised the importance of winning on Sunday before conentrating on the clash against their eternal rivals from the capital.
"We have high hopes and strength to fight for the title and we're going to work towards that goal. Is the Clássico decisive? It's a huge game but all our games are decisive," said the Brazilian left-back.
Kick-off at 8.15 pm on Sunday at the Estádio do Dragão.
The tie against the Premier League leaders also came with the added cost of injuries to Danilo and Otamendi, although the latter may recover in time to face Feirense.
Perhaps Pereira's biggest task ahead of the match will be to focus the players' minds on the job at hand. Just five days later comes potentially the Portuguese championship decider against Benfica in Lisbon.
If Pereira needs to remind his charges of the threat posed by Feirense, he need only point to the first match between the two sides in September. Then, as now, the team from Santa Maria de Feira were struggling near the foot of the table, but they managed to hold out for a goalless draw.
Porto left-back Alex Sandro emphasised the importance of winning on Sunday before conentrating on the clash against their eternal rivals from the capital.
"We have high hopes and strength to fight for the title and we're going to work towards that goal. Is the Clássico decisive? It's a huge game but all our games are decisive," said the Brazilian left-back.
Kick-off at 8.15 pm on Sunday at the Estádio do Dragão.
