February 22nd 2024.
Porto's head coach Sergio Conceicao did not take kindly to Mikel Arteta's comments about his team's performance during Arsenal's Champions League match on Wednesday. Arteta had suggested that Porto had no intention of playing, but Conceicao fired back, stating that Arteta's team lacked the same fluidity they have shown in the Premier League and failed to register a single shot on target.
Arteta had pointed out Porto's defensive tactics, saying that his team was used to playing against such blocks and that they would learn from their defeat and improve in the next game. However, he also commended his team's attitude and aggression in the face of a low block and a team with no intention of playing.
When asked about Arteta's assessment, Conceicao dismissed it as just an opinion and stated that his team did want to play, but their approach to the game was different from Arteta's. He mentioned that Arteta comes from the school of Pep Guardiola, who is known for his possession-based style of play. However, Conceicao pointed out that possession alone does not guarantee a win and that it depends on the team and their abilities.
He also addressed the possession stats of the game, stating that having 40% possession is not a scandal and that he wouldn't mind having 30% possession and still winning. According to Conceicao, it all comes down to what a team does with the ball and their strategy to score goals.
In the end, it was a disappointing result for Arsenal, who failed to register a shot on target for the first time in a Champions League match since 2011. But, as Conceicao stated, it was only one game, and there is still the return leg to look forward to. Whether Arsenal can learn from their defeat and come back stronger remains to be seen.
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