Porto clash Sergio Conceicao believes that tomorrow evening’s Champions League round of sixteen first leg against Inter will be important because of the historical stature of the two clubs involved.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of the match, as reported by FCInterNews, the Portuguese coach stressed that rather than being a personal duel between himself and his Nerazzurri counterpart and former teammate Simone Inzaghi, it will be defined by the teams involved.

Inter and Porto are both multiple-time winners of the Champions League and former European Cup.

The two sides are certainly among the teams in Europe who have a certain familiarity with occasions like tomorrow evening’s match.

For Porto coach Conceicao, this will be what gives the match its sense of importance, and he is hoping that his team can live up to their pedigree against the Nerazzurri, though it will hardly be an easy match for either side.

Of coming up against Inzaghi, he said that “The match isn’t between the two of us, it’s between two teams with a lot of history.”

“I’m happy to see him again, we were in Rome together [at Lazio] and we won some great trophies.”

“Now we’re both in a different position, more demanding but equally exciting.”

“I expect a difficult match,” he added, “Inter are a team with many top-class players, a clear style of play and the ability to switch things up.”

Asked if he’s ever been close to coaching either Inter or Napoli, Conceicao simply replied “Never.”

Of the feeling of returning to the San Siro, Conceicao said that “It’s always a powerful emotion, you all know the affection I have for Italy, I was welcomed here when I was 23.”

“I wasn’t able to play as much at Inter, I got injured not long after I arrived following some great seasons at Lazio and Parma, I didn’t do as well here, but we’re talking about the past.”

Of the injuries to Galeno and Otavio, Conceicao explained that “They’re recovering, and we’ll see how they’re doing in tomorrow’s training.”

“We want to do everything we can to have players available to get out on the pitch,” he added.