William and Pepê’s caipirinhas had a South Korean sugar hit | OneFootball

Cláudio Ramos – He saw Lynch score a superb goal, with absolutely no chance of making a save. Aside from that moment, he was hardly called into action. Only a curling effort in the 81st minute caused any real concern for the experienced goalkeeper, who wore the captain’s armband in the absence of Diogo Costa.

Pablo Rosario – He returned to a position he had not occupied for some time, right-back, and played in a simple, pragmatic way. Defensively, he looked solid, forcing Ian Maatsen and company to look for space on the inside. Near the end, he also produced an excellent cross. Farioli can trust him with any task: the versatile Dominican always delivers.

Bednarek – Dominant in the air, the Polish centre-back once again showed the authority, physical strength, and leadership that are his trademarks.

Kiwior – In the 13th minute, a poor clearance allowed the Birmingham side to pounce on the loose ball and equalise. In the closing minutes, he delivered the ball with great precision for Inbeom Hwang to try to set up Borja Sainz. Almost always well positioned, he is showing signs that he can continue to form a very solid partnership with Bednarek.

Zaidu – He dealt a little too casually with the move that led to Aston Villa’s goal, after also being responsible for the throw-in that was at the origin of the 1-0. For the rest of the match, he once again showed his usual physical strength down the left flank, although without venturing forward too much.

Alan Varela – He was one of the least involved players in the Porto side. He showed some inconsistency in his passing and repeatedly tried to find André Silva, without much success. Defensively, too, he lacked aggression, allowing several moves to come through the middle. He went off with around 10 minutes left.

Froholdt – He wasted an excellent chance as early as the 6th minute, but kept finding himself in goalscoring positions. He grew into the game and left one certainty: he is already beginning to show the late-arriving presence in the box that sets him apart.

André Silva – He came on with great willingness and showed he fits well into Farioli’s intense, high-pressing football. He tried to combine with his teammates, although he is still adapting to the movements of his new colleagues. He did not, however, get any chances to shoot on the opposition goal.

Rodrigo Mora – He entered a flat game when he was introduced, but quickly brought intensity back to it. Dynamic, he forced the villans goalkeeper into a save in the 90th minute and, in stoppage time, sent Pepê through with an excellent pass into the box.

Borja Sainz – He tried to inject pace into the attack with a few bursts forward, but his eagerness ended up costing him composure at certain moments. He will have to do more to win back a more prominent role.

Deniz Gul – Like André Silva, he was unable to leave his mark on the match. The Turkish international often found himself far from the finishing areas, instead using his physical presence and trying to secure possession further up the pitch.

Nehuén Pérez – Still short of ideal physical sharpness, he was used at right-back. He had a calm introduction and carried out the task without any problems.

João Costa – He was limited to taking part in the circulation of the ball with his feet.

Eustáquio – He is on the market and his continuity in the squad seems unlikely. Even so, as long as he remains at Olival, he continues to be a valid option for Farioli. He came on with intensity and immediately took on the captain’s armband.

Francisco Moura – Used in the closing minutes after coming on in the wave of substitutions in the 82nd minute, he had little involvement, with the ball rarely coming through the area occupied by the number 74.

FC Porto’s standouts

William Gomes – The season has changed, but his goalscoring touch remains intact. The Brazilian winger opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a finish of real quality: he controlled the ball with his thigh and guided it home without letting it touch the ground. Very active on the right flank, he also helped Pablo Rosario, playing out of position, with his defensive duties. He did not always come out on top in one-on-one duels, but he confirmed that he enters 2026/27 with the boldness that defines him. He was substituted in the 69th minute.

Pepê – He is one of the longest-serving players in the squad and, judging by what he showed, he should retain the importance he gained under Farioli last season. He started on the left, finished on the right, and maintained a high level for almost the entire match. In addition to the goal that decided the game, struck after a loose ball fell his way, he set up Froholdt with an excellent cross as early as the 6th minute. Near the end, he had the chance to grab a brace, but tried to overcomplicate the move and ended up wasting the opportunity.

Gabri Veiga – He started unconvincingly and, in the opening minutes, missed a simple pass that could have sent William Gomes through one-on-one. He did not let it affect him, raised his intensity, joined the first line of the press, and made life very difficult for the English side in build-up. He remains a threat from set pieces: it was his free-kick that, after a loose ball, allowed Pepê to score the national champions’ second goal. He went off in the 68th minute, already showing signs of physical fatigue. Farioli’s demands are high and, at this stage, it is natural that he still cannot maintain the same level throughout the entire match.

Inbeom Hwang – He was one of the main attractions of the unveiling match and, despite being on the pitch for just over 10 minutes, he lived up to expectations. With Eustáquio occupying a deeper position, he was able to play in more advanced areas. Simple and efficient on the ball, he showed quick thinking. In the 87th minute, he was at the heart of an excellent move that very nearly ended in a goal. The brief sample was enough to leave a very positive impression. He is a player worth watching closely.

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