Friendly against Farense: Thiago Silva started alongside Bednarek | OneFootball

FC Porto concluded their training camp in the Algarve yesterday with a 2-0 victory over Farense, from Liga 2. This friendly match served as preparation for the classic quarter-final of the Portuguese Cup against Benfica, scheduled for next Wednesday at Estádio do Dragão. Pepê opened the scoring at 20 minutes and Rodrigo Mora sealed the result at 80.

Thiago Silva, the first winter signing for the blues and whites, started alongside Bednarek, who played as the right center-back. The unavailability of Francisco Moura, due to a left adductor injury, led Farioli to test an alternative defense, with Martim Fernandes on the right back and Kiwior on the left. Kiwior, formerly of Arsenal, could be an option for the match against Benfica if Moura does not recover in time.

Thiago Silva enjoyed a vacation in Brazil after ending his contract with Fluminense and joined the camp in excellent physical condition, justifying his use from the start against the Algarve team. The defender's last official game was on December 14, in the Brazilian Cup against Vasco da Gama. He concluded 2025 with 46 matches played, four goals, and one assist. After the triumph in the Algarve, the team returned to Invicta and enjoys a day of rest today; training resumes tomorrow with all attention focused on the decisive match against Benfica.

Diogo Costa was not used in the match against Farense. Farioli rested the goalkeeper and handed the goalkeeping duties to Cláudio Ramos, the usual substitute for number 99. The situation of the starting goalkeeper will continue to be closely monitored, although no major concerns are anticipated.

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