Bednarek ban opens the door to FC Porto XI 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 frontrunner to take his place in the starting XI. Unless Farioli springs a surprise, the Argentine will partner Kiwior. Prpic was not registered and, therefore, 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 moving 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 stern test of the defensive solidity of a side that has conceded just one goal this season. The Argentine last completed 90 minutes a year ago, in the clássico 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 for a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon and only returned to action eight months later, in May, in the title-clinching match for the national champions. This season he has been used regularly, having featured in every league game. In Vila do Conde, he started and played 69 minutes, his most extensive run-out 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.