FC Porto

“I understand why he is emotional. You would be sad if your team got dominated by opponents who have been built with 10 per cent of your budget.”

— FC Porto, on Sir Alex Ferguson after beating Manchester United in the Champions League, 2004

“I have been here two-and-a-half years, and it was fantastic. We won everything”

— FC Porto, after winning the Champions League final, 2004

“It is no secret that I want to go abroad one day, and this UEFA Cup final can mean a lot. If you win a European competition, people know your name and recognise your work.”

— FC Porto, before the UEFA Cup final against Celtic, 2003

“I think that in two years maximum a team has to be playing in the image of their coach, doing things with their eyes closed and that isn't about having people working together for years. It's about hard work and good practice sessions.”

— FC Porto, on how quickly a coach should shape a team, 2003

“What I will promise is that we will not go to Manchester and play defensive football.”

— FC Porto, after beating Manchester United 2-1 in the Champions League first leg, 2004

“The best way to respect the game is to play well, to play to win.”

— FC Porto, before the UEFA Super Cup against AC Milan, 2003

“We played well in a difficult atmosphere and being in the quarter-finals is amazing for us. It's fantastic not only for the club and the players but also for the country.”

— FC Porto, after knocking Manchester United out of the Champions League at Old Trafford, 2004

“If we are playing the most important match in the world we have to be happy.”

— FC Porto, on the eve of the Champions League final, 2004

“There are no words to explain the feeling. We have won all the competitions, of course I am very happy.”

— FC Porto, after the Portuguese Cup final that completed a treble, 2003