Porto's Pereira pays tribute to stubborn APOEL

Vítor Pereira, Porto coach
We didn't produce a good display because we didn't play as a team. We wanted to do everything too quickly and without any patience in our passing. APOEL are a difficult side to play against with dangerous players. They defend very well and don't give you much space. The group is wide open and we have to go and win in Cyprus to make up for this result. We have not had good results which bring confidence. This is a very complicated, even group with very similar teams. This APOEL side showed why they beat Zenit and drew at Shakhtar and although they are hard to play against we are convinced we can win in Cyprus.

Ivan Jovanovič, APOEL coach
This is very important for us if you consider that we have taken a point away at Porto. We were excellent and very well organised. Even though Porto kept possession as we expected, we were dangerous on the counterattack. We also had good chances to score. We were a little disappointed not to steal it at the end but I am still delighted with my players because they worked hard. We deservedly took this point but we need even more courage and more concentration for the remaining games.

We are happy to be top with five points. It's a big thing for APOEL and Cyprus. We are not top of the group through luck but we still know that everything can change with every matchday. What concerns us are the forthcoming games in the group. I want to thank my players for their effort and the travelling fans. I believe their long trip was worthwhile.