Bednarek ban opens FC Porto XI door for Nehuén Pérez | OneFootball

Bednarek was sent off with a straight red card in FC Porto’s last Europa League match of last season, against Nottingham Forest, and received a two-match suspension from UEFA. As a result, the centre-back will only be able to make his Champions League debut later on. Manchester City and Betis are the opponents he will miss, leaving Nehuén Pérez as the leading option to take his place in the starting eleven. Unless Farioli springs a surprise, the Argentine will form a partnership with Kiwior. Prpic was not registered and, for that reason, only a possible switch of Pablo Rosario into central defence could keep Nehuén out of the team on Tuesday.

At 30, Bednarek has already gone past 400 matches and has played in two World Cups and two European Championships. Even so, he is part of the group of 15 FC Porto players who have never played in the Champions League [see previous page]. The “sheriff” made his debut in European competitions precisely last season, after his move from Southampton to the Dragão.

Nehuén is also among the players with little experience at the highest level and will now have the chance to make his debut against one of the strongest teams in Europe. It will be a test of maximum difficulty for the defensive solidity of a team that has conceded just one goal this season. The Argentine last completed 90 minutes a year ago, in the derby against Sporting at Alvalade, where Farioli’s FC Porto won convincingly. Shortly afterwards, on 13 September, he was injured at home against Nacional. He underwent surgery due to a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon and only returned to competition eight months later, in May, in the match that sealed the national title. This season he has been used regularly, having featured in every league match. In Vila do Conde, he started and played 69 minutes, his longest outing since the injury, confirming that he is physically ready for the intensity of a Champions League match.

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