Francesco Farioli, coach of FC Porto, admitted this Friday, April 3, that returning to the I Liga after an international break entails difficulties, but was satisfied with the work done by the players in recent days.
This Saturday, the Dragons will host Famalicão for the 28th round, a challenge that could be decisive for the title, at a time when the Minho team have recorded four wins and a draw in the last five rounds.
“The first game after the international break is always complicated, especially in this context, in which we had players returning from big, emotionally demanding games. The work we did in the last few days was very energetic and positive”, he analyzed, in a preview press conference, at the Jorge Costa Sports Training and Training Center, in Olival.
Nos play-offs access to the 2026 World Cup, Poland, led by Bednarek, Kiwior and Pietuszewski, was excluded from the final stage of the main national team competition, as was Denmark, led by Froholdt. Farioli hopes that the players can overcome the disappointment and perform at their best upon returning to FC Porto.
“I was connected with Poland and Denmark because we had players in those games and, for them, it was difficult. Bednarek is a leader and came back with a strong desire to compete for FC Porto. The others are still young and will have several opportunities ahead of them, but I believe he will still have the opportunity to play the next one. As an Italian, I empathize with their situation”, he commented.
Regarding the Porto opponents, the coach showed admiration for the work carried out by coach Hugo Oliveira, praising Famalicão in both the defensive and offensive aspects.
“Since the beginning of the season, Famalicão has been one of the most consistent teams. Since Hugo took over last season – and especially in the current one – they have evolved very well. They are the fourth best defense in the championship and I also really like their work with the ball, with clear patterns. You can recognize very well what they want to do”, he analyzed.
Diogo Costa and Rodrigo Mora, he confirmed, are physically available to take the field on Saturday.
Asked about the meetings between the presidents of FC Porto and Sporting with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, in the context of handball incidents, he praised the action of André Villas-Boas: “As a Porto fan, I feel well represented by our president, the way he acts in defense of the club, he made me very proud. I fully align with everything he said. In a few weeks, we will host Sporting, but now the focus is on the next game.”
FC Porto, leader of the I League, with 72 points, faces Famalicão, fifth placed, with 45, at Estádio do Dragão, in Porto, on Saturday, starting at 8:30 pm, in the 28th round of the championship, under refereeing by Sérgio Guelho, from the Guarda association.
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