Porto vs Club Brugge - Nuno calls on Porto to boost hopes of progression - 7M sport

Porto vs Club Brugge - Nuno calls on Porto to boost hopes of progression



Posted Wednesday, November 02, 2016 by PA

Porto boss Nuno Espirito Santo wants his side to keep it simple against Club Brugge and focus on nothing other than victory.

While Group G leaders Leicester look certain to take their place in the final 16 after winning their first three games, Porto and FC Copenhagen are locked on four points each.

Brugge are not yet out of the reckoning either, despite having yet to open their account.

And rather than crunching the numbers, Nuno prefers his charges to make it easy on themselves.

"It's not time to start doing permutations, it's time to go and get three points," he said.

"The group stage is so short that every result is crucial."

Porto were last-gasp 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago, but, having gone into the game with a single point and then conceded first, it was a stiff test of their mettle.

"We had no margin for error in Belgium and my players knew it," said Nuno.

"The response to going behind was good and the celebrations at full-time spoke volumes. Playing away in the Champions League and being able to turn the scoreline around is a big feat.

"Now we start this second round of matches, if we can call it that, with our expectations of reaching the next stage still intact."

Brugge coach Michel Preud'homme, a former player of Porto's rivals Benfica, has been banned from the dugout.

He will delegate match-day responsibilities to assistant Philippe Clement and expects his right-hand man to rise to the challenge.

"I may get to the stadium by bus, but then I cannot do any more," he said. "I will watch the match with the board, then 15 minutes after the game I can get to the players.

"Those are the rules. But I have full confidence in Philippe.

"We've been through a lot together, so he knows what to do and when to intervene."

Before handing over the reins, Preud'homme will make a final decision on Benoit Poulain and Jose Izquierdo, who are both doubts.

"I have not yet received the green light from the medical staff. Only if I get that will l use them," he said.



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