Porto vice-president Vitor Baia admitted on Tuesday that the Champions League round of 16 clash with Arsenal would be difficult but guaranteed a “fearless” team.
“These will be extremely difficult games, but we have a very specific DNA in this competition. We are not afraid of anyone and will do our best. We are very competitive and enjoy these moments. I have full confidence in what can happen.” “, the director said in a statement to Porto Canal.
Vitor Baia recalled that at this stage of the Champions “all possible opponents were of excellent quality” and analyzed Arsenal, the leaders of the English league, as a team “with incredible possibilities”.
“They have young players who form a quality team with very interesting dynamics. They have strengthened well and are playing in one of the main leagues in the world,” he emphasized.
The Porto vice-president also touched on the differences in the financial capabilities of the two clubs, but recalled that the “dragons” worked “real miracles” with the resources they had.
“Arsenal have weapons that, unfortunately, we don’t have. His financial capabilities allow him to buy the best players and talents of the highest quality, as was the case with “our” Fabio Vieira. But we never hide from this issue. Yes, of course, in reality it was an unequal struggle, but we created real miracles with what we had,” recalled Vitor Baia.
However, the Porto director stressed that “although we don’t know what the two teams will be like in two months,” the Blaugrana “will prepare the game in detail.”
FC Porto, second in Group H, will play the first game of the Champions League round of 16 at home on 13, 14, 20 or 21 February 2024, and the second in London on 5, 6, 12 or 2024. March 13, 2024, Arsenal.