Brazilian outlet TNT Sports at the weekend featured an interview of over 40 minutes with Porto defender Pepe.
Among the many subjects the player had to talk about, there was obviously the upcoming Champions League clash against Chelsea.
The two blue sides are set to face each other on Wednesday, and then have the decisive tie next week, both matches will be played in Seville due to Coronavirus restrictions in Portugal in England.
Newspaper O Jogo made big coverage of the interview, and highlighted some of the defender’s quotes regarding the clash.
Regarding the draw, Pepe acknowledges that most clubs wanted to face Porto in this round, claiming he knows Chelsea ‘celebrated’ the tie.
“I believe so. It was public that Chelsea players celebrated the draw. But they also know that it will be a difficult game,” Pepe told TNT Sports (via O Jogo).
“They know that we are a humble, hard-working, supportive team. In the spirit of our fans and what the coach demands of us as players, the work must always be there. You can miss a pass, a ball control, a goal, but the work and the desire to win must always be present. And that’s what we will try to demonstrate in the game in Seville.
“We are among the eight best teams in Europe, it is a fact. We know that Chelsea’s bet was brutal to win the Champions and the Premier League, where they are fourth. When we represent a club like FC Porto, we want to win all competitions we are inserted in. We have many players with some wear and tear due to the accumulated games, it’s no excuse, as one of the captains I say that this is not an excuse, but playing to win, for sure.”
Pepe also talked about how difficult it should be to face Chelsea, and made some special compliments to Blues defender Thiago Silva.
“I know how difficult it will be, they signed Thiago Silva at zero cost and he’s a player who has already shown at Milan, and also played here for FC Porto, a very competitive player, despite having other very good defenders. Chelsea have a lot of quality. We have to prepare that game well and our team will prepare it in the best possible way. We will be a humble, hard-working team, with a lot of determination, ambition and commitment, which is what our fans also ask for when we go.
“I had the opportunity to meet Thiago in Madrid, because he’s a good friend of Marcelo and we talked a lot. And here too, in his short spell at FC Porto. He’s a person for whom I have respect, I like him, he’s five stars. He made a brilliant journey, both in the clubs he played for and at the national team.
“He left PSG for Chelsea because he wanted to go in search of another challenge for his career. Despite his age, having this stimulus, says a lot of what he is as a person and a player. He wants to be competing, winning and it’s always been like that in his career. I hope to see him, he’s a person I like.”
The front page story from O Jogo also features West Brom star Matheus Pereira giving Porto some tips on how to beat Chelsea.
