On presentation day, Farioli tests FC Porto against elite rivals | OneFootball

Two months and nine days have passed since the 1-0 win over Santa Clara, the result that brought FC Porto’s 2025/26 season to a close. Today, the Estádio do Dragão once again brings together the blue-and-white world to mark the start of the new campaign. The national champions will be presented to members and fans on a day of great activity in Invicta, with the highlight being the match against Aston Villa, scheduled for 8:00 pm.

After four warm-up matches against Hibernian, Birmingham, Penafiel and Gil Vicente, the team led by Francesco Farioli now faces a test of… Champions League caliber. The English side won the UEFA Europa League in May and, like the Dragons, will take part in the Champions League in 2026/27.

Before kick-off, the players will be introduced in the traditional parade, a moment when they will be able to feel the support of Porto fans up close. The stadium gates open at 5:30 pm, while the team bus is expected to arrive at Gate 1 at 6:00 pm. The individual presentation of the players should begin at 6:45 pm.

Diogo Costa, FC Porto’s captain and goalkeeper, ended his vacation yesterday and will not be available to Farioli for tonight’s match. The Portugal international has also decided to keep the number 99, after turning down the suggestion made by André Villas-Boas. The Porto president had suggested a switch to the number 2 as a tribute to the eternal captain Jorge Costa, but Diogo Costa preferred to stick with 99, a shirt with special meaning, although he did thank him for the idea.

A few days ago, FC Porto’s leader assured that the SAD had not received any approach for the goalkeeper. Even so, Diogo Costa naturally remains one of the most sought-after names on the market.

The squad suffers its first cut

Not all of the academy youngsters who began pre-season integrated with Farioli’s group will be present at the presentation. Some did not take part in yesterday’s training session and were sent to the B team. Others should still step onto the pitch, given the high number of players currently listed on the Dragons’ medical report.

The friendly against Aston Villa could also provide Inbeom Hwang’s first minutes in an FC Porto shirt. There is also still some expectation over the possibility of a surprise appearance. A year ago, Luuk de Jong surprised everyone by showing up. However, Villas-Boas said earlier this week that “there are things on the menu that cannot be repeated”…

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