First team

CARRIÇO: 'STATS DON'T COUNT, WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE'

11/04/2019

The Portuguese is well aware of what El Gran Derbi means: 'Motivation is at its highest for this match. We're feeling good after the back-to-back wins'

'We're focused, prepared and excited. We're well aware of what Saturday means. It's a special match, different to the others and everyone knows that. We have to go at it from the first minute with our fans backing us. We have to go for the three points.' After announcing that tomorrow's training session in the stadium will be open to the fans, the Portuguese denied there was a favourite: 'People often say that in these games there are no favourites, that they're different. Motivation is at its highest for this match. We're feeling good after the back-to-back wins and we're full of desire.'

Asked about previous derbies, the centre-back preferred not to look back: 'We could speak about other derbies and then it would be different. We have to speak about the present and the future. Stats don't count. We're higher in the table and we want to qualify for the Champions League in the seven games remaining. This is the first of those seven and we have to get the points in this game.' Furthermore, he underlined 'we have to be smart, control our emotions and finish with eleven men.' Regarding the possible absence of his compatriot André Silva, he said he hopes he can make the game: 'Everyone is important here and hopefully he can be ready for the game. I want everyone to be ready to help.'

Carriço is well aware of what Saturday means: 'Maybe the derby is more passionate here because it starts the week before and ends the week. Whoever loses feels horrible and whoever wins feels great. If you go outside people will say things to you but I'm used to that. It's normal that one of the captains understands the derby and transmits that to the team.' Even so, he wouldn't choose between winning the derby or finishing fourth: 'I'm ambitious and I want both. I don't consider any other option.'

He finished by speaking about the opponent: 'They like having possession and we have to combat that by pressing high and being aggressive. We are intense and that will be important so that they don't feel comfortable. We've conceded fewer goals lately and the team is more solid and compact.'