André Miranda becomes first B team youngster to get minutes under Farioli | OneFootball

Friday night was a memorable one for André Miranda, the young winger from FC Porto, who made his debut for the first team after being brought on by Francesco Farioli in the final push against Arouca – a match that ended with a 3-1 victory for the blue and whites.

In the 84th minute, the Italian coach risked everything to secure the three points, taking off Pepê and bringing on a youth academy player, a move unprecedented since he took charge.

It was then that a “nervous and breathless” André Miranda entered the Estádio do Dragão, fulfilling the dream of many young footballers in training.

“I always dreamed of this. It was a great entrance, because we managed to turn the result in our favor, which was the most important thing. I was breathless, I came on nervous, but eager to help the team. There was a moment when I won a rebound and, when I heard the stands celebrating, I felt even more grit and determination,” André Miranda began by saying to FC Porto’s official channels, highlighting the trust he feels from Farioli.

“I’ve been training with the first team for some time now. Mister Farioli calls me to training, and I feel that I’ve evolved and that this helps me in the B team, makes me grow and become more mature. I think that was reflected in the game. I’m a very different person from who I was at the start of the season,” he added.

From Benfica to FC Porto

Already making a mark in the B team, André Miranda was not an unknown face among the fans: considered one of the talents developed at Olival, he came into this season with six goals and four assists in 24 matches, split between the B team and the under-19s.

The journey of the 18-year-old winger, who can play on both flanks, includes a four-year stint at rivals Benfica.

Born in Setúbal, he started at Pinhalnovense and then moved to the red club, which he represented between 2015 and 2019.

In the summer of 2019, he returned to Setúbal to join Vitória FC’s under-13s, but the following year he joined Dragon Force and, in the summer of 2021, moved to FC Porto.

Almost five years later, he climbed through the various ranks until reaching the first team, becoming the first youth player to earn Farioli’s trust – at least in terms of minutes on the pitch.

“André Miranda is a young player who just a few weeks ago was training with us and could not have dreamed of the opportunity to make his debut today, especially when the score was tied and at such a decisive moment in the game and the season. He had a great impact, brought a lot of energy, a lot of fight and a strong desire to win. I believe in him a lot and time shows us that everyone plays an important role within the group,” assured the FC Porto coach in a press conference after the victory over Arouca.

Renewal on the horizon?

Farioli had already praised his potential previously, while André was making his mark in the B team.

Although he now seems to be gaining importance in the squad, the winger’s contract ends in June 2027 and it is expected that his debut will be a step forward towards a renewal.

With six minutes on the pitch, plus stoppage time, André Miranda joins the Olival DNA present in FC Porto’s first team, which already includes Diogo Costa, Martim Fernandes, and Rodrigo Mora as regulars.

Who’s still waiting in the wings?

Still waiting for opportunities are Diogo Fernandes, Gabriel Brás, André Oliveira, and João Teixeira, while João Costa returned last summer to the club where he was developed and now occupies the role of third goalkeeper in the first team hierarchy, with regular appearances for the B team.

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