FC Porto steps up injury prevention for title-race stability | OneFootball

In the president’s view, FC Porto must strengthen stability and “avoid the noise” caused by the succession of physical problems. “We have to avoid injuries because they are one of the main factors that can create noise in a title race. We have to control injury prevention and always have the squad available because the squad is good and the coach is also very good.”

The Spain international returned to competition 223 days after suffering a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. After undergoing surgery in Madrid, he went through a long recovery process, working daily with FC Porto’s medical department and giving up his holidays. His introduction in the 85th minute came after he received medical clearance, following 15 minutes played in a friendly against Académica. The return came roughly two months earlier than initially expected.

Also in the 85th minute, Oskar came on, making his official debut in 2026/27. The Polish winger was recovering from a muscle injury in his right thigh, sustained in pre-season and later worsened by a relapse. Although he had already returned to training with the team, FC Porto opted for a cautious approach, seeking to avoid a new setback. The two returns, in the same derby that Porto won 3-1, mark the positive outcome of complex, albeit different, recoveries.

During the week off granted by Francesco Farioli, eight injured players continued working at Olival. Gabri Veiga stayed at the training centre in Vila Nova de Gaia, although the issue he felt in the derby was only a scare. The Spanish midfielder left Porto-Benfica shortly after opening the scoring, in tears and fearing a muscle tear, but tests showed only a strain. The expectation, virtually a certainty, is that he will be available for the visit to Marítimo, scheduled for 10 October.

Even so, the national champions continue to deal with several medical issues that affect the team’s work and reduce the squad’s options. João Costa is recovering from a meniscus injury in his left knee, which required arthroscopy, leaving Cláudio Ramos as the only goalkeeper at Olival. Nehuén Pérez suffered a muscle injury in his right thigh, while Zaidu and Fofana have adductor problems in their right and left legs, respectively.

Vasco Sousa is continuing with modified training after his fibula fracture and the complications that arose during recovery. André Miranda, absent since March due to an injury to his left thigh, has also resumed modified training. Martim Fernandes left the under-21s due to a calf injury suffered in the derby. Among these cases, there is strong expectation that Martim will return to training during this week, after the mini-break. Seko Fofana, despite responding well to treatment, is not expected to be an option against Marítimo or Betis, being part of the group of players facing a longer recovery.

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