FC Porto v Benfica: A blue and white family united, fighting for their city | OneFootball

At the end of a week with three matches, and following victories in Arouca (0-3) and against Red Star (2-1), FC Porto hosts Benfica in the eighth round of a championship they lead with a 100% win record. From 9:15 PM, the Estádio do Dragão will host the 258th classic between the two teams.

The players coached by Francesco Farioli remain isolated at the top of the table with seven wins in seven rounds, 19 goals scored and only one conceded, while the team from Luz is in third place, four points behind (17), after home draws with Santa Clara (1-1) and Rio Ave (1-1).

In the previous 257 encounters, the Dragons have 102 victories, 62 draws, and 93 losses - a record that is even more favorable in Invicta, where FC Porto won 70 of the 119 duels, drew 30, and lost 19.

Tickets for the derby sold out in a few hours and there will be no shortage of support in the stands, just days after the Club signed a protocol with the Super Dragons and the Ultras Collective 95. A choreography is being prepared for the teams' entrance, so fans are encouraged to arrive early and not to move the placards. The doors open at 7:15 PM.

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FC PortoIn the preview of "an important but not decisive game", Francesco Farioli emphasized the need for "the players to be prepared, react quickly and make the best decisions", facing the challenge "with the right mindset and a lot of desire", because "plans without flame never work".

Against "an opponent that competes at the highest level", "who plays in the Champions League and has a very high budget", the Italian coach promises "to give everything to make the fans happy" and emphasizes that "the support of the fans requires even more attention, passion, and courage". "We will approach the game with a lot of hunger and with the desire to empty the tank", assures the helmsman, ready to "represent the city" in the best way in a "big game" where "the demand is maximum". Nehuén Pérez and Luuk de Jong are out due to injury, as is Martim Fernandes, who serves a suspension after being sent off for accumulating yellows in Arouca.

BenficaThe Lisbon team strengthened with Obrador, Dedić, Richard Ríos, Barrenechea, Lukébakio, Sudakov, and Ivanović to fill the departures of Carreras, Florentino, Kökçü, Di María, Aktürkoğlu, Tengstedt, and Arthur Cabral. The Colombian midfielder from Palmeiras is the only one of the reinforcements to be a starter in all 14 official Benfica games so far - including the Supercup - alongside Otamendi and Aursnes.

Pavlidis, Dahl, Dedić, and Barrenechea were starters in 13 matches, Trubin and António Silva in 12, Ivanović and Schjelderup in eight, and Sudakov debuted in the eleven since his arrival from Ukraine - as did Lukébakio, who was a starter in the last two rounds. The Greek forward is the top scorer (7) and best assistant (2) of the team coached by José Mourinho, who cannot count on the injured Bah, Manu Silva, and Bruma, nor with Prestianni, who is with the Argentina U-20 team.

Referee teamThe referee appointed by the Portuguese Football Federation's Refereeing Council is Miguel Nogueira, from the Lisbon Football Association, who will make his debut in classics. He will be assisted by Paulo Brás and Nuno Pires, with Gustavo Correia as the fourth official. In the VAR will be Bruno Esteves from Setúbal, accompanied by Pedro Felisberto.

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