International break lets Samu gain ground on Gimenez | OneFootball

The Dragon experienced a special moment with Samu's return to competition. The Spanish striker recovered around two months ahead of the initial timetable and played again in the derby against Benfica, in Matchday 7. He had been out of action for more than seven months after suffering a sprain to his right knee with a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament against Sporting on 9 February.

The quicker-than-expected recovery was largely down to the commitment shown by the player throughout the entire process. During the holidays, Samu kept working, under the supervision of FC Porto’s medical and performance departments, following the plan that had been set out and stepping up his treatment. In pre-season, he faced highly demanding physical drills and the knee responded positively at every stage. His progress made it possible to bring forward his return to competition.

Before returning to official matches, the striker got some minutes in a friendly against Académica at Olival. A few days later, he was used against Benfica.

Samu played only five minutes against the Eagles, as part of a gradual reintroduction within his physical recovery process and confidence-building. The break for international duty could allow the Spanish international to gain match fitness and improve his physical condition. On 2 October, FC Porto also have a friendly scheduled against Deportivo de La Coruña in Galicia.

Samu’s return puts him in a battle for space in attack. With the signing of Santiago Gimenez, who opened his scoring account against Casa Pia, the Spanish striker will have to show Francesco Farioli that he is ready to establish himself as André Silva’s first alternative and, later on, reclaim the role of main attacking reference that he held last season before the injury.

The international break could be important in that objective. Giménez, who is still trying to reach the desired physical levels and has shown some concentration issues while on duty with Mexico, left Olival even though Farioli would have preferred him to stay in Porto to work on his fitness.

Meanwhile, Samu will be able to work under the coach’s orders when the squad return from their short break on Monday. The Spaniard could come out of this period in better shape than the striker on loan from Milan and gain an edge in the battle for a place in attack.

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