“Like Pedro, he has to sleep with one eye open and the other closed…”

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao’s statements to Channel 11 on Monday

Speaking to Canal 11 on Monday, Sergio Conceição spoke about Zé Pedro, the centre-back who recently rose from the reserve team to the main team of Porto, where he asserted himself in important matches such as Benfica (1-0 defeat) and Portimonense (1-0 victory). .

After high praise for the player, the Dragons coach “defended” him regarding some of the issues raised in the program, taking into account the meeting with the Algarve team, having then revealed what Ze Pedro can still improve on.

“They talked about the game against Portimonense. About not risking the inside pass, not risking it inside the opponent’s block. That was a recommendation from training, one of the details that was worked on in this match. I didn’t want that, because ‘playing with three defenders, two From two midfielders and three strikers, or three midfielders and two strikers, with the wingers integrated inside, I wanted other things from Pedro’s uniform. It wasn’t because I didn’t trust him, it was the coach’s recommendation. And I “I’m not here to save his skin. I’m saying that it was my orders, not to play inside the opponent’s block, but rather in width and depth. This is to clarify a little what was discussed.” He said, in conclusion then, emphasizing that he still had a margin of progress:

“There’s room to grow, of course. Even I do that. I’m improving every day, and learning is constant. It’s part of my identity. Players know they sleep poorly with me, and they spend their days trying to improve and wanting to.” “Development and this is important for everyone, including the coach and the technical staff, and extends to everyone who works every day for Porto’s success. Things are difficult, we are there for that. Players, who have this state of mind and cooperate, “We always have room to progress, develop and get out of Comfort Zone. Ze Pedro is very skilled, he plays very short and very long… There are things that need to be improved, without a doubt. It’s part of the new generation, a little “sleeping”, as I usually say, you have to improve this, sleeping with one eye open and the other closed. The things you know…”