Assunçao: “Porto Fans Threatened To Shoot My Legs”

By: Al | February 22nd, 2009

If there’s anyone on the Atlético squad that’s secretly not all that excited to play against Porto in the Champions League, it’s Paulo Assunçao. He was loved by the Porto supporters, but after constant pressure from the fans and his ambitions to play in La Liga, he left to join us red-and-whites. Porto fans still aren’t too happy with him and he’ll probably be received with boo’s and offensive signs. Special occasion, I must say.

Assunçao gave an interview to Madrid-based sports publication AS and talks about his time both at Porto and Atlético, and what he’s thinking going into the match. Translated from Spanish.

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How do you think you’ll be received by the Porto fans during the Champions League fixtures?

I don’t know. Their stadium was my home. To me, it’ll be like any other match. I should be concentrated on Atletico. If the support treats me well, all the better. If not, nothing will happen.

You received threats pressuring you to renew. Are you afraid of returning to Oporto because of this?

I’m not afraid of returning to Oporto. I’m going there to do my job. I’m indebted to Atlético. I only want to play.

Those threats did affect you, even though the “Dragons” supporters already had respect for you.

Yes. The support always treated me well, because I won titles there. My contract was running up and I didn’t want to renew it. I like to think that those who threatened me weren’t true Porto fans after all.

It was a hard time.

Yes. That’s true. One day after leaving training, I was approached by people with masks and they told me that they would shoot my legs if I didn’t renew. After that incident, I felt worried for my loved ones: my wife and my daughter. I had to hire security. But that incident has passed.

In this fixture, will it be a special match for you?

Playing in the Champions League, and especially against my old club, is great. It’ll be hard because Porto is playing well and is in first place in their league. However, we have a great squad and team. It’ll be a match to watch.

Does your squad think that Porto is a team that’s easier to get past than teams such as Manchester United, Juventus, or Bayern?

In the Champions League, there aren’t any easy teams. In this match, we have to be concentrated and calm. Every little detail is important in this competition.

Is it a disadvantage to Atlético to have to play the second leg in Portugal?

No. Atlético is ready to win at any stadium. We have good mentality from our players and we’re ready to win here in Madrid or at any other stadium.

You know Do Dragao well. Will the supporters try to show hostility towards the rojiblancos?

They’ll try to mount pressure on us. The moment we step onto the pitch, we need to forget about which environment we’re playing in. when doing a good job, there’s no pressure.

The most important thing would be to get a good result at the Calderon.

Of course. If we achieve a good result, the better.

You know them well. Have your teammates and coach asked you about the style and players of Porto?

Porto has a great team. They have many quality players and this year they’ve made great signings.

What players would you single out from their team?

Lucho Gonzalez is a great player and controls the ball like a genius, there’s also quality in Lisandro and Hulk, and the keeper too, Helton.

All those players you mentioned are offense players, minus Helton. Then is their defense the weakest part of the team?

They have great forwards. But they have to be careful because we have Simao, Maxi, Aguero, and Forlan. We’re a very offense minded team. It’ll be complicated for them if we’re concentrated. Without a doubt, their coach, Jesualdo Ferreira, I know him well, and he works hard on the defense of the team.

You seem happy and determined for Atlético’s perfection.

I’m very happy. All my friends have helped me a lot so things wouldn’t be difficult.

How well do you think the rest of this year will go for you at Atlético?

It’s a great year so far. We’re in a tough competition, but we’re not doing that bad.

Is the Spanish league like you thought it would be?

It’s one of the best competitions in the world. It’s complicated and I’ve wanted to play here for a while.

Why did you pick Atlético Madrid?

I knew them through the media. When I was in Portugal, I would watch their matches on TV and I thought they were great. That’s why I was anxious to play for Atletico.

In addition, you’ve made yourself a place on the team.

Yes. I’m happy about this. I’m my made place in the starting XI. Also, every time I train and play matches, I feel better.

What do you think about the slump that the team is facing?

We once had a good streak before we left for vacation in December as 3rd place. Without a doubt, we arrived from break to play a hard match against Valencia and then we faced Barcelona. That wasn’t helpful. But now, the team is gaining their form little by little and is getting stronger. We’re willing to return to winning.

In the past few matches at home, the supporters have shown their doubts. Has the squad felt comfortable playing at the Calderon? Or have the jeers pressured the players even more?

We need to do our job, which is to concentrate on the match and achieve our objective to win. The supporters pay to watch and they have their right to protest. We need to win playing either pretty or ugly.

What do you expect from the team?

Our main objective is to qualify for the Champions League. The further we can get into this competition, the better.

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I’m skipping a review from last night’s match to Sevilla (we lost 1-0) to concentrate on writing the preview for Tuesday’s match. Basically, we deserved more from yesterday’s match and although we have more spark than we did all of 2009, we still can’t f’ing score. The match could’ve gone either way. Plus, Perea is out for a month for that nasty collision in the first few minutes of the match. The only upside is that Atleti seem to have gained more confidence, and there’s plenty of season left to collect points.

That makes it 8 points behind Sevilla. Fourth place isn’t all that bad, plus we host our direct rivals for that place (Villarreal and Valencia) at home later this season. Atlético isn’t finished. Aupa!!