António Costa hails FC Porto boss: “Farioli gave me a new mindset” | OneFootball

FC Porto right-back Alberto Costa believes that coach Francesco Farioli “prepared him very well for the future,” highlighting several aspects of the work carried out with the Italian manager during the 2025/26 season, which ended with the Dragons winning the national title, their 31st overall and the first since 2022.

“Beyond the club’s mystique, he gave us a completely different mentality from the one I was used to. I think you can see it in the matches — we are always pressing high, with the utmost ambition to win the ball back and go forward towards goal. As for me, I feel he prepared me very well for the future, I feel I can play in any system, he prepared me really well,” said Alberto Costa, speaking to Maisfutebol on the pitch at the Dragão Stadium, in the mixed zone after Saturday’s match against Santa Clara.

With a smile on his face for becoming champion with the “club of his heart,” the 22-year-old said that this achievement represents “a childhood dream come true.” “I couldn’t ask for better in my life. It was God who guided me here, I have so much to be thankful for, I’m truly very happy,” he said, after speaking about the decision to return to Portugal to wear the FC Porto shirt, following his spell at Juventus after leaving Vitória.

“I think this [editor’s note: the title and the celebrations] now speaks for itself. I think it was the right step, a step forward, and I’m very happy to be here,” he assured.

Martim Fernandes and next season with an eye on more titles

Alberto made 47 appearances, scored one goal and provided eight assists for FC Porto, playing in a position also occupied by Martim Fernandes, with both showing positive signs in the battle for a starting place. “It was very good, we pushed each other, I feel we both improved a lot and you could see each player’s development through the matches,” he said.

After winning the league title in 2025/26, Alberto is already looking toward even more ambitious goals in 2026/27. “To be champions again and win more titles,” he said, adding that next season will be difficult regardless of FC Porto going into it as champions. “I think FC Porto are always the team everyone wants to beat, so it will be the same,” he concluded.

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