The stadium pulsed with energy. Cheers erupted as the home team, FC Porto, clinched a victory against a tough rival, Atlético Madrid. For many, it was a perfect warm-up, a taste of what’s to come. But head coach Francesco Farioli wasn’t fooled by the scoreline. He saw the win, sure, but his eyes were fixed on the bigger picture. He made it clear there’s still a mountain to climb before the real games begin.
Farioli spoke after the match, explaining why this friendly was important. It was a good chance to get players some valuable time on the field. They needed to find their rhythm. Playing in front of their amazing fans was also a big boost. Plus, nobody got hurt, which is always a win in itself. But he quickly reminded everyone: “Now we have just one week. This is the most important week of the season. Things start for real very soon.”
Despite the win, Farioli knows the team isn’t quite there yet. “We saw some good things,” he admitted. “But there are many areas that need work.” He specifically mentioned the team’s flow and overall shape. “We’re still far from where we want to be,” he stated. It’s like a car that looks good but isn’t quite tuned for top speed.
Reporters asked about Martim Fernandes starting on the left side of the defense. Did this mean Zaidu was no longer a main choice? Farioli quickly shot that idea down. “Not at all!” he said, stressing that Zaidu helped a lot, especially with his physical presence. “He’s a very experienced player,” Farioli added. “He’s changed his game, and I’m really happy with all the players.” The coach said he simply has decisions to make and things to try out. Every moment is a chance to find the best solutions. There’s no time to waste, he stressed, because a crucial game is just six days away.
When asked about the perfect number of players for his squad, the Italian coach didn’t give a straight answer. “We’ll see,” he replied. “Right now, my main job is to work hard. I need to get everyone ready. That includes players who will stay and those who might leave by the end of the season.” He praised his team’s effort. “Honestly, they’ve shown me a lot of hard work. My duty is to get them in top shape, whether they remain with us or move on.”
