Farioli down to 11 players, turns to B team at Olival | OneFootball

The rest period granted to FC Porto players who were not called up by their respective national teams has come to an end. Francesco Farioli took advantage of the competitive break caused by international commitments to extend the squad’s time off, with the team returning to work on Monday at the Jorge Costa Training and Sports Development Centre in Olival.

Given the high number of absences due to international call-ups, Farioli decided to integrate the 11 available first-team players into the B team’s training sessions. João Brandão also took part in the joint session.

This is expected to remain the solution adopted by FC Porto throughout the week, taking into account the friendly scheduled for Friday against Deportivo in Coruna.

For that match, the Porto coach is expected to call on players from both squads, in a game designed mainly to help those who have been out of action regain match fitness.

In addition to the absences due to international duty, the Dragons are also dealing with several physical problems in both the main and reserve squads. The medical report released on Monday includes João Costa (treatment and gym work), Nehuen Pérez (treatment and gym work), Martim Fernandes (modified training), Zaidu (modified training), Seko Fofana (treatment and gym work), Vasco Sousa (modified training), Gabri Veiga (treatment and gym work) and André Miranda (modified training).

Even so, Zaidu and Martim Fernandes may get some minutes at the Riazor, with the aim of speeding up their physical recovery.

Gabri Veiga, however, is not expected to be used. The 24-year-old Spanish midfielder is still recovering from the physical issue that forced him off before half-time in the Clássico against Benfica, played before the international break. One of the standout performers at the start of the season, with four goals and three assists in the first nine games, he is expected to be kept back for the trip to Marítimo in the 8th round of the Primeira Liga, scheduled for 10 October.

In the B team, Emanuel Benjamín (treatment), André Oliveira (treatment and gym work), Brayan Caicedo (modified training) and Mame Niang (treatment for a left leg injury) remain under the care of the medical department.

B team players on international duty

Villas-Boas keeping his feet on the ground

FC Porto marked its 133rd anniversary and André Villas-Boas admitted he was pleased with the start to the season, strengthened by the recent win over Benfica. Even so, the Porto president stressed that the national champions are only fulfilling their responsibility.

“Nothing has been decided, we have to keep showing what we are capable of,” said the Dragons’ president in comments to journalists after the flag-raising ceremony at the Estádio do Dragão.

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