Vladan Milojević, the coach of Red Star Belgrade, recently expressed high regard for FC Porto ahead of their upcoming UEFA Europa League clash. The experienced Serbian manager believes the Portuguese club is enjoying one of its strongest periods this season and is poised to contend for the Europa League title. “FC Porto looks impressive in every department. I am sure they will fight for the Europa League trophy, so a very tough task awaits us. We had an intense match at the weekend against Radnicki Kragujevac, and we are accustomed to such challenges. We must be physically prepared,” Milojević noted.
Milojević continued to praise Porto’s disciplined and high-quality play, emphasizing the impact of their coach, Farioli. “They play with discipline, speed, and quality. All the players have embraced Farioli’s ideas, who is undoubted one of the best coaches of the new generation. They exude tremendous confidence and are extremely disciplined. It’s up to us to respond to FC Porto’s game and seize any opportunities that arise,” he stated.
While Milojević acknowledged that Farioli might opt to rest some players, he feels this will not necessarily give Red Star an advantage, especially with his side also facing injuries and lineup changes. “I am not familiar with Farioli’s plans. We know they have the Portuguese classic coming up, but we need to take care of ourselves and stay close to their level. We will have changes in our lineup compared to the Celtic match, which is inevitable. Though I’m not a fan of rotation, I hope we improve in each subsequent UEFA match,” he commented.
Bruno Duarte, a Brazilian forward and key player for Red Star, echoed his coach’s sentiment as he prepares for what will be his sixth encounter with Porto, where he is yet to claim victory. “We expect a very difficult match, but we are focused on giving our best. And who knows, maybe we can surprise them and win. If I manage to score a goal, even better! But the most important thing is to secure the three points,” he remarked.
Duarte acknowledged Porto’s gameplay, stating, “We know they play with a high block, intense pressure. We will try to find spaces to surprise them. These are two giants of European football, but in the current context, FC Porto is the big favorite. However, European matches can often bring surprises.” Noting Porto’s standout goalkeeper, Diogo Costa, Duarte said, “He is in fantastic form, but I am confident in my preparation and believe I can surprise him. That is the essence of this game: facing the best and giving our best. Our goal is to win, and I will do everything I can to score or contribute decisively to the team.”
This clash between Red Star and FC Porto promises to be an exhilarating matchup, with both teams eager to demonstrate their capabilities on the European stage.