FC Porto create fewer chances in 2026, finishing a growing concern | OneFootball

FC Porto is preparing to host Rio Ave in the 23rd round scheduled for Sunday, with great concern for Francesco Farioli. February has not been particularly fruitful for the blue and whites, and there is currently a clear deficit in the offensive department. The numbers confirm this trend. This FC Porto creates fewer chances, although they have been very efficient. Even so, there are reasons for concern at the Dragão.

In the second month of 2026, FC Porto recorded all three possible results in football – a loss to Casa Pia (1-2), a draw with Sporting (1-1), and a win over Nacional (1-0) – and in all matches, they managed to score only a single goal.

If that record is already concerning in itself, the magnitude of the problem increases when analyzed in more detail. Using the Sofascore platform, the data regarding FC Porto's offensive production is enlightening: there is a lack of drive to attack the opponent’s goal.

Captain Bednarek to the rescue

Last weekend, at Choupana, FC Porto registered fewer expected goals (xG) than Nacional (0.55 versus 0.68), and the first big chance belonged to the home team. The hosts missed what seemed to be a certain goal through Chuchu Ramírez in the first half, but in the second, Jan Bednarek stepped up to break the deadlock.

The decisive header from the Polish defender was one of five shots on target, although goalkeeper Kaique was only troubled on two occasions.

In the previous round, it was Seko Fofana who scored the only goal for the Dragons against rivals Sporting, in a chaotic play inside the Lions’ penalty area. After numerous shots that struck opposing defenders, the winter signing finally managed to send the ball to the right spot and opened his scoring account.

In the clash with Sporting, the Lions were superior offensively, as the statistics show: more expected goals (1.47 versus 0.81), three shots on target against one, and eight corners against one.

Once again, FC Porto was far from the threat they had shown in the past and, in particular, in the first round Classic at Alvalade, when they were clearly superior (with more expected goals and shots on target) and won 2-1.

Forced to run in Rio Maior

In Rio Maior, where they suffered their first league defeat, Farioli’s team ended up producing more (outperforming Casa Pia in all offensive indicators), but also had to chase the deficit, which led the Italian coach to adopt a bolder approach in the second half.

It is worth noting, however, that FC Porto started with intensity in the opening minutes, but once again failed in finishing, in a match also affected by poor pitch conditions, at a time when rain did not help in the Central region of Portugal.

Pablo Rosario scored FC Porto’s only goal in Rio Maior, which points to another problem.

Are the forwards in crisis?

Looking back at February, Rosario, Fofana, and Bednarek were the scorers of the three goals netted so far this month, highlighting the possible crisis among FC Porto’s forwards.

Samu suffered a serious injury against Sporting, leaving at halftime and depriving the current league leaders of his services for the rest of the season.

Borja Sainz, a winger who was a regular in the starting eleven, hasn’t scored or assisted in nine games, with his last goals dating back to December 2025.

Pepê, another key player regularly used by Farioli, is also going through a less inspired period, now 11 games without scoring. At least he provided two assists recently, the last one in January this year.

Deniz Gul has become a starter following Samu’s injury, but needs to deliver more in terms of goals. The Turkish international has five goals this season, only two of which were in the Primeira Liga, with the last one dating back to October 27.

William Gomes, like Samu, scored against Gil Vicente in January and was sent off against Casa Pia, returning in Madeira to play the final minutes. The Brazilian winger has eight goals this season.

There are also Oskar Pietuszewski and Terem Moffi, winter signings whose performance is too early to assess, as well as André Miranda, waiting for an opportunity in the first team. There is also Yann Karamoh, who has played only seven minutes, and Luuk de Jong, who remains unavailable due to a serious injury suffered at the end of November.

Will Rio Ave be easy prey?

With more or fewer offensive difficulties, FC Porto knows that above all, they must remain efficient when shooting at the opponent’s goal.

On Sunday, they face Rio Ave, a team on a poor run (five straight league defeats) that has only beaten Porto away once, at the old Estádio das Antas, in 1981.

The match between FC Porto and Rio Ave is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Sunday and will have David Silva as referee. The Dragons remain at the top of the table, four points ahead of Sporting and seven ahead of Benfica, who are second and third, respectively.

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