Alan Varela’s Debut in the Champions League: Porto’s Victory Against Shakhtar Donetsk and Sérgio Conceiçao’s Demands

Alan Varela debuted in the Champions League in Porto with a victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine (REUTERS/Cathrin Mueller)

Porto achieved an important victory in what was its debut in Group H of the Champions League: it defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in Ukraine and the Argentine Alan Varela registered his debut in the continental competition. Despite the joy of the victory, the coach of the Portuguese team was critical of the former Boca Juniors and some other teammates, from whom he will demand even more.

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Sérgio Conceiçao, when asked about the performance of Varela and the Spanish Iván Jaime, responded: “They felt comfortable like everyone else, but I don’t want them to feel so comfortable. Because they have to continue. You have to understand some of the ideas I have for players who play that position. “I think they have a lot to improve.” After the surprising sentence, the coach also clarified that they trust in the potential of the reinforcements and also included in that sense the Spanish Nico González and the Mexican Jorge Sánchez: “We believe a lot in their quality and after that quality they have to make themselves available to the team and according to my way of thinking about the game.”

Since his arrival in Lusitanian territory, the former Xeneize midfielder went to the bench in one match and played two others in the domestic league in addition to the Champions League match last week. After the debut, Varela expressed: “I am very happy. It was very important to win the first game and even more so on the road. It gives us a little more peace of mind to continue working and be able to face the next games.” For the second day, the Dragons will host Barcelona on Wednesday, October 4.

The Portuguese Sérgio Conceiçao, demanding with his squad (REUTERS/Cathrin Mueller)

Conceiçao was a former midfielder for the Portuguese national team that played in the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. In addition to having played for Porto as a footballer and having a career in Italian football (Lazio, Parma and Inter), he has been a coach for a decade and is in charge of Dragao since 2017. In total, he won 15 titles at the club (counting five as a player and ten as a coach).

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“From day 1 the boys welcomed me very well, I instantly felt part of it. They treated me very well, not only my teammates but the entire coaching staff and the people who work at the club. That was very important for my adaptation. “I am very happy to be here,” the Argentine added. And he concluded: “I work every day to be 100% in every game and show what I know on every court. Contribute to the team and I hope I can continue doing so.”

Before the match against Barça in the Champions League, Porto will have to face two important commitments in the Portuguese league: they will host Gil Vicente today and visit Benfica on Friday, September 29.

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2023-09-23 18:22:28
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