Alberto Costa makes right-back spot his own at FC Porto | OneFootball

The days of uncertainty over who would take the right-back position for FC Porto are long gone. Martim Fernandes was once the first choice, but due to injuries and less successful performances, he quickly made way for Alberto Costa, who hasn't looked back since. The full-back, who came from Juventus in the summer, has been a pillar of defensive stability, adding to that a rare ability to advance with the ball and frequently participate in the attack.

Since returning from a minor injury at the end of September, Alberto Costa was rested during the trip to Salzburg and was on the bench against Arouca and Red Star – two games in which his rival for the position ended up being sent off in the first and was substituted at halftime in the second. These signs convinced Farioli that rotation no longer made sense. From then on, number 20 has always been a starter and didn't even rest against Celoricense in the Portuguese Cup.

Analyzing the numbers of the two right-backs in the league, Alberto only falls behind Martim in passing accuracy (83% against 97%), which is explained by having 430 more minutes, substantially increasing the volume of attempted passes. He also stands out in the number of chances created by Alberto Costa (seven), five of which resulted in assists for goals. He also surpasses his rival in attempted crosses, dribbling effectiveness, and possession recoveries.

Against Sp. Braga, Alberto Costa will remain in the starting eleven, marking his fifth consecutive game as a starter.

Close to João Mário's record

After just 10 games for FC Porto, Alberto Costa is one assist away from matching João Mário's total from last season, achieved after 42 matches. This is clear proof of the offensive influence the former Juventus player has shown in Farioli's team, justifying the swap made with the Turin club in the summer, both for the management and the fans. João Mário, on the other hand, has faced difficulties in Italy and has yet to establish himself as a starter.

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