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Porto rue missed chances after narrow win

Bruno Martins Indi was underwhelmed by FC Porto's winning margin against LOSC Lille while Simon Kjær told UEFA.com his side need to show a clinical streak next week.

Porto rue missed chances after narrow win
Porto rue missed chances after narrow win ©UEFA.com

Bruno Martin Indi believes FC Porto could have won by more than 1-0
Simon Kjær rues Porto's clinical finishing: "They had one chance – and score"
René Girard admits his LOSC Lille team "lost to the better side tonight"
Porto coach Julen Lopetegui recognises room for improvement

Bruno Martins Indi, Porto midfielder
Yeah, of course, we kept a clean sheet zero, we played well in spells, and we won the game. We had the opportunity to score more goals, because they needed to come out in the second half. We had a few chances to score in the first half, too. It's a little bit of a shame but we're happy with the goal we did score, and we are happy with how we defended.

We first have a league game and training. It's very important to first focus on the game on Saturday and, after that, we can focus on Lille at home. I cannot say a lot about that game, but we have a lot of confidence, we have a good, talented group of young players – it's difficult for any club to play us. Lille also have a very good team.

Simon Kjær, LOSC defender
Porto did it; compliments to them. Of course it's disappointing for us. We also had chances. We knew this game would be difficult – they are very good with the ball – but we had our chances. With a little bit more luck, we would have gone in front in this game, and the game would have been totally different, because they would have had to be more offensive. I think they would have been happy for 0-0. So, right now, it's a little bit disappointing.

I have no problem with Porto having the ball all the time, just as long as they don't shoot on goal, and that was the case. I actually had a good feeling about it, the whole game. We had it under control very well. They had one chance – and scored. So that is what is disappointing, something we need to work on. It's difficult in games like this to keep them down to zero chances, because they are quality players.

For the second leg I think we need to go in with the same mentality as this match, because we will not beat Porto in ball possession. We need to be more effective. If we get one chance there, we need to score. It was my first game in the Champions League, and that is the big, big difference from other competitions I have played. In those games, you get a lot of chances. In this, you only get one or two and you need to be effective.

René Girard, LOSC coach
We lost to the better side tonight. To compete with a team of their level you need to play differently. We should have done the opposite of what we did to be honest. We need to be more consistent – not necessarily having more possession, but being more accurate and clinical.

Hector Herrera (C) celebrates
Hector Herrera (C) celebrates©AFP/Getty Images

We had quite a few opportunities, more than Porto in fact, but they were more clinical. If we had scored in the 44th minute, it could have changed the complexion of the tie, but that's football. We could have earned a draw at best, but to win you need to show far more collectively.

Don't forget that there's a return leg: we took a hit, but we're not dead. We'll need to play differently, including our key players, else there's not much to hope for. We're going to regroup, talk, and then we'll go to Porto. I am not worried, just a bit disappointed.

Julen Lopetegui, Porto coach
It was a very good match against difficult opponents. We had several opportunities to score more, and maybe we should have. There is always room for improvement. The only thing that counts is the verdict on the pitch, and I'm happy about it. We performed well against demanding opponents.

The tactics that I chose at the start of the match were aimed at giving us more control and possession, to stop Lille shifting very quickly from defence to attack using the pace of [Divock] Origi and [Salomon] Kalou. That's what we managed to do.

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