Farioli: “Defensive solidity comes first, the display was enough” | OneFootball

Francesco Farioli began the league campaign with FC Porto’s 2-0 win over Alverca, but refused to link the result to a flawless performance. In the press conference, the Dragons’ coach highlighted the team’s start, the loss of control of the game, and the importance of improving defensive solidity. As for his overall assessment of the match, he was emphatic: “It was not perfect.”

After the opening-round victory, Francesco Farioli reinforced the high standards expected at the start of the season. Despite the team’s ability to get into the opposition box, the coach also pointed to periods in which the side was forced to drop deeper, rejecting any overly comfortable reading of the result.

Looking back on the 90 minutes, Farioli admitted that Alverca caused problems and pointed to some fluctuations in FC Porto’s performance throughout the match.

“It was a complicated match, against a well-organised opponent with strength and pace. We knew how to approach the game right from the start, with a good reading of the game and good attacks into the box,” he said. “Then we lost intensity and control, with wastefulness that forced us to run back. Players like Chiquinho are capable of covering almost the whole pitch, which forced us to recover deep. It was not perfect.”

The coach explained some of those limitations by the fact that it is still the early stage of the season, although he acknowledged that Porto had chances to extend their lead.

“We are at the start of the season, there are always aspects to improve. We had chances to score more goals, but Diogo Costa was also able to prevent goals from the opponent.”

Farioli also addressed the team’s attacking build-up, highlighting one situation he felt was well worked and, conversely, the problems experienced in combinations through the central channel.

“One of the few correct actions was when we won the first penalty. We failed in the interior combinations, for example, which prevented the game from flowing,” he analysed. “The performance was enough to justify the victory.”

From the coach’s analysis emerges a distinction between the efficiency needed to secure the three points and the overall quality of the display. The result was positive, but the ability to control the game and give it greater fluidity remains a priority.

Defensive behaviour also came under scrutiny, especially because of the chances allowed to the opponent, which Farioli identified as one of the main aspects to correct.

“Defensive consistency is a priority and decisive. Today we conceded too many chances,” he stressed. “It is something we have to work on. I am happy when I do not see Diogo Costa so involved in the game.”

In the coach’s view, the decisive interventions of Diogo Costa highlight the need for a more demanding collective response. Beyond winning matches, FC Porto will have to improve the protection given to their own goal.

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