Pepe has disclosed that Porto aimed to 'neutralise'. Martin Odegaard during the Champions League clash with Arsenal on Tuesday.
Porto won 1-0 in the first leg, but Leandro Trossard’s goal at the Emirates Stadium evened the score in the return leg.
The match was tied after 120 minutes, and a penalty shootout was needed. David Raya saved two Porto penalties, helping Arsenal advance to the Champions League quarter-final draw on Friday. Odegaard assisted Trossard’s goal, and Pepe, who played well in Porto’s defense at the Emirates, admits his team targeted the Arsenal captain..
‘Firstly, I want to acknowledge the incredible support from the fans tonight. Secondly, it's disappointing to be knocked out in this manner, but it's part of football,’ Pepe said to DAZN after Porto’s Champions League exit.
‘We caused a lot of problems for
starting with the home game. Today, they scored with their first shot. I must congratulate my teammates for following the coach's instructions. However, there were moments when we could have been more decisive and scored. We played a great game, but unfortunately, we couldn’t progress in the competition. ArsenalPepe put on an outstanding performance against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium (MB Media/Getty)
Premier League they score many goals. We came in with a plan to neutralize Odegaard's play between the lines. We knew what we were doing, but unluckily we couldn't score. They had some luck.’ When asked how Porto could have avoided a shootout, Pepe responded: ‘It’s about winning the game before penalties, and that’s what we aimed to do.
‘If we had been more effective in attack, although we did create chances. Unfortunately, we also felt the fatigue from a tough period.
‘We stayed focused on the game, and I want to commend my teammates and the fans. We need to regroup, move forward, and learn from this.’
When asked how he copes with the intensity of playing 120 minutes at the age of 41, Pepe said: ‘I'm passionate about football, privileged, and devoted to this profession. I take good care of myself.’
‘They had some luck.’
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