Álvaro Magalhães Discusses the Tactical Battle in Benfica-FC Porto Match Football is a game that goes beyond just the ball rolling on the pitch, and Álvaro Magalhães, the former coach and current analyst, recognizes this. In discussing the recent Benfica-FC Porto match, he highlighted the impact of tactics and preparation, attributing FC Porto’s win to Sérgio Conceição’s tactical approach rather than simply the team’s ability to play football. Magalhães stated that it would be too simplistic to say that FC Porto won solely because Conceição defeated Benfica coach Roger Schmidt tactically. While Conceição did an excellent job of preparing his team for the game, both in terms of tactics and psychology, it was not a victory achieved solely through defeating Schmidt’s tactical setup. The FC Porto coach knew that the Benfica team was performing well and playing quality football, so he had to prepare his team accordingly, emotionally and strategically, for the challenge of the game. Magalhães emphasized that every game has nuances that extend beyond mere footballing skill. Players require adequate preparation to deal with the unique challenges of individual matches. In this instance, Conceição’s strategy allowed his players to give their best performance under difficult circumstances. Magalhães also noted that Conceição’s successful approach was not just about outsmarting Schmidt tactically, but also about studying the Benfica team and players carefully. He was able to identify and exploit weaknesses in the Benfica team, contributing to his team’s success on the day. Sérgio Conceição’s accomplishments in the game were significant, as they helped to move his team one step closer to the top of the table. However, Magalhães’ comments make it clear that coaching is not simply about achieving victory over the opposition – it’s about understanding the nuances of the game and creating an effective strategy to optimize a team’s chances of winning.
