Bruno Moraes hails mature squad, says Gul and Moffi need time | OneFootball

FC Porto no longer displays its usual goal-scoring prowess and has even been surpassed by Estoril in the number of goals scored in the Primeira Liga. In the two most recent matches, they secured victories by the narrowest margin, against Nacional and Rio Ave.

Despite leading the Portuguese championship, the blue and white team only has the fifth-best attack, with 44 goals scored, behind Sporting (59), Benfica (49), Sp. Braga (48), and Estoril (46).

To analyze the loss of offensive effectiveness, Desporto ao Minuto spoke with Bruno Moraes, a former FC Porto forward.

“It’s true that FC Porto hasn’t been scoring as many goals as at the beginning of the season, but it’s also true that they have suffered some injuries, like now with Samu,” the former striker began to explain.

After assuring that this ‘crisis’ “is not worrying,” Bruno Moraes highlights the defensive solidity of the dragons and admits that this drop in offensive production “can happen with a team that is competing on several fronts.”

“FC Porto hasn’t been as effective as usual and as the fans like to see, but the truth is that they have defended very well, they have balanced the game. Even by scoring just one goal sometimes in a game, they manage to get their points in the same way as if they had scored more goals,” he continued.

“It’s a team that hasn’t scored many goals, but has been very competent in the defensive aspect,” he pointed out.

The former player believes that, “if they maintain this defensive consistency,” the players who will have to take on the attack due to Samu’s injury will “have more opportunities to free themselves and become more effective.”

FC Porto more conservative in search of stability

Although goals have lost prominence, Bruno Moraes emphasizes the excellent defensive organization of FC Porto, which has conceded only seven goals in the Primeira Liga this season. In all competitions, the blue and whites have conceded 18 goals in 36 matches.

“FC Porto has positively prioritized defense and has been more pragmatic and conservative at times. They even allow more ball possession to play from there. However, the truth is that they have been a team that has achieved results. It’s a mature team,” he commented.

“Is it more important to score goals or not to concede?”

Bruno Moraes posed this question when analyzing how FC Porto has decided games. He recalled the team’s more aggressive start to the season and admitted that, although they can no longer play that way at this stage, the team “hasn’t conceded either.” The Brazilian also points to the possibility of managing the result as part of the strategy.

Confident that this is a temporary moment, the former player foresees the return of offensive performance if the team maintains consistency. He also highlighted the need for time for the integration of players like Deniz Gul and Moffi.

“I think the goals will return, especially now that players like Deniz Gul and Moffi have more opportunities to integrate into the team, but they need some time to make the most of it. Sometimes it happens quickly, but other times it takes longer,” he said.

Mature and balanced squad

The current assistant coach of Fafe praised the Porto team, also mentioning the importance of departures and arrivals in the last transfer window.

“The squad is balanced and the last transfer window was important to prepare for some possible situations, like Samu’s,” he stated.

In conclusion, Bruno Moraes expressed confidence in FC Porto’s conditions to compete for the title, emphasizing, however, that the fight will be “tight until the end because the direct opponents are close.”

“I think they can maintain regularity until the end. It’s difficult, but it’s important to keep the levels of commitment and concentration in every minute until the end of the games,” he concluded.

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