🥇 Europe's best defence: This back line only beat themselves | OneFootball

By the end of September, all professional teams, especially those participating in European competitions, have already played several matches. Nevertheless, Europe’s best defense had to concede for the first time. The culprit was well known.

Europa League participant FC Porto has played seven games so far this season, with a goal difference of 13:1 in favor of the Dragons. Only on matchday 4, in the 2-1 victory in the top match against Sporting Lisbon, did Porto’s net get breached. Defender Nehuén Pérez scored an own goal.

No other team in Europe’s top leagues can boast such a clean sheet. The architect behind this fortress is the new coach, Francesco Farioli.

The Italian learned his craft under former Bayern target Roberto di Zerbi and clearly has a knack for rock-solid defenses. Before taking the job in Portugal, the football coach had already fielded the best defense in their respective leagues with Ajax (2024/25: 32 goals conceded in 34 games) and OGC Nice (2023/24: 29/34).

The 36-year-old’s tactics are quite old school. With high pressing based on disciplined man-marking, opponents are often not allowed anywhere near the goal. It’s only logical, then, that the biggest danger comes from one’s own man.

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

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