Porto point to second-half improvement at BATE

• Porto ease to 3-0 victory in Borisov with three second-half strikes
• Goalscorer Hector Herrera points to decisive improvement after restart
• Julen Lopetegui celebrates "three very important points"
• Aleksandr Yermakovich unhappy with result but not BATE's "commitment or desire"
• Next games: Athletic Club v BATE, Porto v Shakhtar Donetsk (10 December)

Hector Herrera, Porto midfielder
Despite beating BATE 6-0 in September, we knew we were facing a difficult match. Yes, they've had some poor results in the competition this season but they are their country's best club and had to be respected. They played well in the first half. They took the pitch with great motivation and won a lot of balls while we were not focused enough. But during the break we realised we had to improve and collect three points. I am happy we managed to do that.

Of the three goals I liked the first one the best – the one I scored myself. But the other two from my assists were great too. The first two took the pressure off and allowed us to finish the match in a more or less calm manner. I played at the Borisov Arena last week when Mexico lost 3-2 to Belarus [in a friendly]. I liked everything about Belarus except one thing – it is very cold here this time of the year, impossible to be outside! I am happy we managed to win in such weather.

Julen Lopetegui, Porto coach
It is of absolute importance for us to win the group, which means we collected three very important points tonight. The team produced the level of football I hope to see. It was difficult to play against BATE because they had conceded lots of goals in recent Champions League matches. Everyone assumes that makes things easier but in fact it is the other way round.

You choose your lineup depending on the opposition. I am content with those who took the pitch tonight. We struggled in the first half but managed to reach our goals and play our own football in the second. We could not do that before the break because of the weather and a good display by BATE.

It was a difficult game, against a good team. BATE were determined to show something to their supporters, so it was not easy for us. We were able to create some spaces, we had the initiative and, above all, we showed character. We gave a good response and we were strong, especially in the second half. For us, all games are important and these were three important points.

Porto's Hector Herrera in action against BATE©AFP/Getty Images

We still have some work to do, of course. But as time goes by we are becoming a better team. The players are starting to understand each other better. We are showing intensity, attitude and motivation. We played at a very difficult ground today, but we showed the determination we needed to win the loose balls, which was very good.

Aleksandr Yermakovich, BATE coach
Of course we are by no means happy with the result but I cannot reproach my players for a lack of commitment or desire. Overall we did well in the first half. We managed to keep it tight at the back just like we planned. However, we failed to produce the necessary counterattacks because they did not allow us to lift our heads and kept us under pressure all the time. We had to run too much without the ball; Porto worked us hard, the lads began to tire and made big mistakes which we were punished for.

To take points off teams like Porto, many things need to work in your favour. [They have] a top-quality team and class individuals, so it's very difficult and you make errors. We had eight shots and none on target. Porto had nine shots of which four were on target and they scored three goals.

Nemanja Tubić, BATE defender
We wanted to play defensively, catch them on the break or from set pieces, but we failed. In the second half we played well again, but only until the first goal. The likes of Porto punish you for every small mistake. In the Belarusian league they do you no harm, but here ... Well, it's a useful experience for us. We make too many mistakes at this level, we create chances for the other team. Maybe it's psychology. I believe BATE will do better next year.