The final whistle had just blown in Salzburg. FC Porto fans were still singing their coach’s song in the stands. But the party didn’t stop there. Inside the stadium, away from the roaring crowd, something special happened. Francesco Farioli’s own players picked up the tune, serenading their manager.
When Francesco Farioli later spoke with Sport TV, he was told about his team’s private concert. A wide smile spread across the Italian coach’s face. He quickly understood the playful tactic his players had used.
Farioli explained their little game with a good laugh. “When I’m a bit annoyed,” he said, “they act funny to stop me from being too hard on them.” It seems even top-tier football has room for humor and clever tricks between a coach and his squad.