Pepe has disclosed that Porto’s strategy in their Champions League clash with Arsenal on Tuesday was to “neutralize” Martin Odegaard
In the first leg, Porto secured a 1-0 win, but Leandro Trossard’s first-half goal at the Emirates Stadium leveled the aggregate score in the return leg.
Despite a goalless extra time, David Raya’s crucial saves in the penalty shootout propelled Arsenal to victory and a spot in the Champions League quarter-final draw.
Porto’s strategy goes wrong
He revealed that the team’s strategy included focusing on neutralizing Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, who, in turn, provided a superb assist for Trossard’s crucial goal.
“We were a team that created a lot of difficulties for Arsenal, starting with the home game. Today, with their first shot they scored.
Pepe pleased with Porto’s performance
I have to congratulate my teammates because they did what the coach asked. But, in some moments we could have defined better and scored the goal.
It was a great game on our part, but, unfortunately, we didn’t make it through the round.
“We don’t forget that Arsenal are a great team, in the Premier League they score a lot of goals. We came to play our game, neutralizing Odegaard’s play between the lines.
We knew what we were doing, but unfortunately we couldn’t score. They had a bit of luck.”
When asked how Porto could’ve avoided a shootout, Pepe replied: “It’s about resolving the game before penalties, that’s what we tried to do. If we had better offensive definition, but we even created chances. Unfortunately, we also feel the fatigue of a difficult time.”
