FC Porto manager Sérgio Conceição quickly responded to comments from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta last night.
With the Gunners’ coach saying the Dragons weren’t really interested in playing football, whereas Arsenal were, it was likely he’d get a reply.
Conceição is quoted by Noticias Ao Minuto responding directly to Arteta, explaining Porto simply have a different way of playing than Arsenal.
“It’s an opinion. They wanted to play, we wanted to win. That’s it. Arteta comes from the school of Guardiola, who is the most honoured coach in the world. They think that the best way to beat your opponents is to have more possession, but that depends on the team and the players you have,” said Conceição.
“We had 40-60% possession, which is no scandal. I wouldn’t mind having 30-70% and winning as well. It all depends on what you do with the ball within the defined strategy to score goals.”
Porto’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal is the big topic in the Portuguese media today, especially because their clubs had been struggling when playing at home against English sides in the Champions League, so that could be a turning point for them.
There’s a general feeling that the Gunners are still the favourites to get a place in the quarter-finals, though, so Conceição will need some preparation for the second leg at the Emirates. That will be played on the 12th of March, so there’s plenty of time until we see how the Dragons will set up with their advantage in London.
