Borja Sainz has already won over the Porto faithful | OneFootball

Borja Sainz has shown great adaptability to FC Porto’s demanding style of play. Under the guidance of Francesco Farioli, he has established himself as an essential part of both the defensive and offensive dynamics, standing out for his high pressing and constant desire to win back possession—qualities that were evident in the last match against Nacional.

According to Francesco Farioli, it was, so far, the least fluid game for Porto, with the international break increasing the fatigue of several starters. However, this was not the case for the 24-year-old Spanish winger, who remained focused during training at Olival.

Against the team from Madeira, Borja energized the squad down the left flank, halting numerous opposing attacks and finding solutions for FC Porto to reach Lucas França’s area. In the absence of great collective fluidity, he also stood out by pushing into the striker’s area, winning the penalty that proved decisive for the Dragons' fifth consecutive win—from the spot, Samu converted to make it 1-0.

Borja Sainz’s start at the club was discreet, with less influence in the first two matches. In that initial phase, the player signed from Norwich, England, already showed signs of his potential by providing an assist in the 3-0 win over V. Guimarães. However, it was his defensive commitment that most caught the coach’s attention. The Spaniard’s performance earned praise from Francesco Farioli and the appreciation of the fans, who recognized the positive impact of the new signing on the team’s overall performance.

The turning point toward a more complete performance came in the match against Casa Pia, where he scored twice and gained the confidence to take on a greater offensive role. In addition to his defensive work, Borja demonstrates tactical intelligence by occupying spaces that facilitate build-up play and the creation of chances. Even so, there are aspects to improve, such as ball control in finishing areas: under greater pressure, especially against well-organized defensive teams like Nacional, the player—known for his easy shooting—faced some difficulties. On the other hand, against Casa Pia, he imposed himself effectively, proving his ability to adapt to FC Porto’s style of play.

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