Right-back dilemma could have a surprising solution… | OneFootball

It is said that misfortunes come in pairs and, as far as the right back of FC Porto's defense is concerned at the start of this season, the maxim applies clearly, to the dragons' misfortune. After the injury of Martim Fernandes – who should only recover in October – suffered in the inaugural league match against Vitória de Guimarães, Alberto Costa was the next to suffer a setback in last Sunday's training.

The full-back signed from Juventus is dealing with a muscle injury in his right thigh and will miss, at least, Saturday's (6:00 PM) reception to Nacional. Francesco Farioli is therefore forced to improvise for the match with the islanders and has already considered several alternatives, one of them unexpected for the less attentive.

Without Martim and Alberto, the only root solutions are in the B team. In the training match with Lusitânia de Lourosa (2-2) at the beginning of the week, Pedro Lima was tested on the right side. In the secondary team, there is also Dinis Rodrigues, but the Brazilian loaned by Wolverhampton seems to have an advantage as he continues to work with the seniors. Nehuén Pérez was used more on the right side on a punctual basis, as the coach himself admitted before the trip to Gil Vicente, in the 2nd round, although Farioli tends to prefer the continuity of the Argentine in the axis. However, there is another candidate for the position: Pablo Rosario, a trusted player of the blue and white coach.

The defensive midfielder, signed from Nice this summer, missed most of the preparation for tomorrow's game because he was on duty with the Dominican Republic national team, but he has two important arguments in the fight for the starting position. In addition to deeply understanding Farioli's game principles – as a result of the 2023/24 season they both spent at the French club -, Rosario also masters the fundamentals of the right-back function. At Nice, with Farioli in command, the player acted several times on the right corridor, especially in the first half of the season.

This adaptability of the now number 13 of the dragons, who under the guidance of the Italian coach in France also acted as a central defender, was one of the factors that led Francesco Farioli to insist on his signing.

Between Thursday and this Friday, the FC Porto coach has time to fine-tune the options – including Rosario – and define who will replace Alberto Costa against Nacional. The decision should be kept until close to game time, with Farioli aware that, despite the delicate scenario, he has available alternatives capable of ensuring solidity.

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