Farioli: “Deniz Gül still doesn’t quite know how good he can be” | OneFootball

FC Porto’s coach highlights the differences between André Silva and Deniz Gül and responds to criticism that the Dragons play predictable football:

Is FC Porto easy to stop?

“It is natural that there are things to improve over the course of a season. This morning we met with the team, in a kind of kickoff to the new season. We have to stay alert, because the transfer market is an issue and, in some way, it is natural that people try to create extra pressure, sometimes through the media, other times through social media. I remember that, in mid-November (last year), when we lost our first match against Nottingham Fortest, I read some articles describing us as a catastrophic team, one that was unable to play and that, at a certain point, would collapse. A team with many problems, etc., etc., etc... As for this discussion about us being predictable, I think there is, in a way, an intention not to focus on things that, for us, are very important. Achieving a season like the one we had, with 28 wins in 34 matches, does not happen by chance. You need consistency, the ability to overcome difficult moments, sometimes without being perfect, but continuing to believe in what we do. That is what I demand from the players and from all of us. Now, I agree that there is more than one thing to improve, we have a lot of work to do.”

The differences between André Silva and Deniz Gül

“They are two different players. André is a more mature player, with a lot of experience. He came through the academy here, had a fantastic career at big clubs and decided to come back home. A few days ago, he won his first trophy wearing the FC Porto shirt. He arrived with great humility and made himself available to the team. He is a player who is very curious about everything we do. He wants to keep learning to help the team, which is fantastic. He is a very mobile player, with a strong presence in the box, and he is important in defensive actions by applying high pressure on the opponent. Deniz still does not really know how good he can become. He is very powerful and quick, technically gifted. He has to find consistency and improve the way he is connected to the game and contributes to the team. But his potential is immense. He likes to work and improve. Since Samu got injured last season, he showed that he is capable of taking responsibility and was one of our standout players in winning the league. Now it depends on him getting back into condition to be able to help the team again.”

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