Farioli shifts Kiwior to the left to snuff out the Lions’ attack | OneFootball

Unused substitute against Casa Pia on Monday, Kiwior is preparing to return to FC Porto's starting lineup for the match against Sporting (Monday, 8:45 PM). Everything indicates that the Polish player will be moved again to the left side of the defense, with the mission of containing the advances of Geny Catamo and integrating into the central defense duo whenever necessary, forming a block that Farioli hopes will be sufficient to neutralize Sporting's attack.

The Polish wall that Kiwior built with Bednarek until January helped FC Porto finish the first half of the season with only four goals conceded, but this partnership has not been seen in league games since the arrival of Thiago Silva. The Porto coach is expected to continue betting on the experienced Brazilian, which will mean that the defender on loan from Arsenal will take the place that was Moura's in Rio Maior on the left flank. This change is not directly related to the first goal by Casa Pia, where the former Famalicão player allowed Gaizka Larrazábal to finish behind him. Farioli's plan already anticipated this management, especially because Kiwior's physical condition required care. Having played every minute in the eight games prior to the trip to Rio Maior – accumulating 720 minutes between Alverca and Rangers, more than any other teammate, playing in the center and on the left – the defender showed some fatigue. On an extremely heavy pitch, which even worsened the injury of Martim Fernandes, the coach chose to rest him, now aiming him for the starting eleven against Sporting, in a decisive match for the title race.

Kiwior is currently the sixth most used player by Farioli and, with him on the field, FC Porto has only suffered one defeat, against Nottingham Forest.

Bednarek is going through the “best phase of his career” at Dragão

An essential piece in FC Porto's defensive structure, Bednarek has received praise from Farioli for his performances and leadership skills, and favorable reviews are also emerging in Poland. “Considering the season as a whole, Jan Bednarek is in the best form of his life,” said Roman Kołton, one of Poland's most renowned sports commentators, this week. An opinion shared by Jacek Laskowski. “Before the transfer to FC Porto, I said it was a great choice. He is at his peak.”

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