FC Porto coach Sergio Conceicao believes the Otavio red card changed the game in the Champions League and argues Inter striker Lautaro Martinez should be suspended for the second leg.

Both teams had chances and were denied by great saves at San Siro, with Andre Onana and Diogo Costa performing heroics, but when Otavio received a second yellow card for his foul on Hakan Calhanoglu, the Nerazzurri took advantage of the extra man.

Romelu Lukaku’s header came off the upright and the Belgian was alert to turn in the rebound from six yards, sealing a 1-0 lead going into the Estadio do Dragao on March 14.

“I think the result is fair, the last 10 minutes were very difficult for us,” said Conceicao in his press conference.

“Otavio was sent off, the card is understandable, but then there are Inter players who deserved to be booked too. I believe Lautaro Martinez should’ve been booked for fouling Pepe and if that had happened, he would be suspended for the second leg. This is what the referee decided, I won’t say if it’s right or not, I will leave you to evaluate that.”

Otavio will be suspended for the second leg and Porto must win by one goal to level the tie on aggregate, needing a victory by at least two clear goals to secure qualification for the quarter-final.

“This is only the first leg, it was very balanced and very competitive. I remember one Diogo Costa save on Alessandro Bastoni in the first half, but we too had several chances to score.

“We should’ve been more aggressive in the second half, as we lost the ball too cheaply in dangerous situations, then there was the red card. I knew at that moment Inzaghi would try even harder to make the most of Inter’s width, as he had done all game. We prepared for all this, but were lacking in the box in decisive moments of the game.”

Former Inter, Parma and Lazio midfielder Conceicao showed respect for the Nerazzurri and his old Biancocelesti teammate Inzaghi.

“These are such stimulating matches to prepare for, because the opposition has so many strengths. It is the Champions League Round of 16, the best club competition in the world.

“The objective is to know what we must do when we have the ball, understand how to find the spaces and move the ball around. Inter certainly played very well, they kept their balance, but if you look at the clear-cut scoring opportunities, I think we could’ve had a different result today.”

Porto made the trip with several players who were making their comebacks from muscular injuries, yet most of them played the whole match.

“We decided at the last minute. Galeno was limited in his capabilities, I knew Evanilson didn’t have 90 minutes and Otavio was certainly not as smooth in his usual movement. Uribe was in good shape, though. They played because I thought they were able to do it.”

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