Alan Varela revived at FC Porto after spell on the bench | OneFootball

Alan Varela once again showcased his best performance for Francesco Farioli's team, after a January where he started most matches on the bench. This was a new experience for the 24-year-old Argentine, who is used to being a starter at FC Porto, and it seemingly did him good. The competition from Pablo Rosario served as a wake-up call that demanded an immediate response from the South American midfielder.

To the naked eye, you can see a more committed athlete with greater offensive dynamics, as evidenced by his growing influence in the attacking midfield and even in the final third. In the last three league matches, Varela significantly increased the number of passes to areas near the opponent's goal and records one shot per game, attributes previously more associated with Rosario.

On the defensive front, the Argentine has further elevated his standards, showing greater aggressiveness in plays, especially in ball recoveries and duels won. Alan Varela appeared revitalized after his time on the bench and, for now, has eased the pressure from Pablo Rosario, who had been standing out in Francesco Farioli's team.

However, the Argentine must be cautious if he wishes to secure his place in the starting eleven, as he risks suspension in the league. If he receives a yellow card in the match against Rio Ave, he will be automatically suspended from playing in the following match against Arouca, potentially losing his spot to the Dominican international once again.

The competition between the two benefits the team, which currently has two players with credibility for the more defensive midfield position, although Rosario gains an advantage due to his versatility, allowing him to occupy other areas on the field. In fact, the two have already been lined up together in the starting eleven.

World Cup Dream

Alan Varela keeps alive the hope of being called up for the 2026 World Cup. Not being a regular presence in the group led by Lionel Scaloni, the FC Porto midfielder was included in the Argentine coach's squad for the last qualifying match for the World Cup, although he was not used. Nonetheless, the fact that he is on Lionel Scaloni's radar gives him some leeway to fulfill that dream.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.