Rodolfo Reis: “Rodrigo Mora was never used to create and score…” | OneFootball

Rodolfo Reis put Francesco Farioli before a tactical dilemma centered on Rodrigo Mora and the way the youngster has been used by FC Porto. The commentator argued that the player could perform better in more advanced areas, questioned the space he is given within the team’s model, and dismissed the idea that midfield is his strongest territory. At the end of his remarks, he left a note of support for the coach and assured: “I’m happy.”

In a debate marked by interruptions and by his desire to make his point clear, Rodolfo Reis began by separating the admiration he says he has for Francesco Farioli from the criticism he intends to make of Rodrigo Mora’s management. The message runs through his entire intervention: for the commentator, there is still an attacking version of the player that has not been fully explored.

Before getting into the tactical issues, Reis made a point of stressing that his reading does not come from opposition to the coach, but from his conviction in the youngster’s potential.

“I’ve already said that I like Farioli a lot, but I also like Rodrigo Moura a lot.”

The starting point is the setup Reis identifies in the Porto team, with wide players being called to look for inside areas. It is in that space, closer to goal and away from the back-and-forth duties of midfield, that he believes there is room to test Rodrigo Mora.

“That’s it, the football Porto play is in a 4-1-2-3, right? And they play with wingers who aren’t really wingers,” he analyzed. “So, they play with wide men.”

In the commentator’s view, it is not just about moving a player to a different position, but about understanding whether that role could free up his attacking qualities. That is why he put the question to Farioli in an openly direct way.

“And I ask, why has Rodrigo Moura never been used in this position? This is a question I’m asking directly to Farioli.”

Reis insisted on the idea of using him on a flank with inward movements, distinguishing it from the classic winger who looks for the touchline. The doubt gains strength precisely because, in his view, that option has not yet been tried.

“Why has this player, Rodrigo Moura, never, never, never played on a flank cutting inside? Come on, that’s it. Come on.”

The criticism becomes sharper when the discussion reaches midfield. For Rodolfo Reis, that is where Rodrigo Mora loses the distinguishing element he recognizes in him when he appears further forward.

“Rodrigo Moura, in midfield, is just another player. He is not a transcendent player.”

The commentator contrasted that assessment with what he sees in the youngster when he plays in more advanced areas, where he believes his ability to unsettle opponents can take on another dimension.

“Whereas he, on the front line, is a player… He is the best player that rival football has. He is a game-changer.”

Near the end, Reis summed up his thesis: Farioli has not yet exhausted Rodrigo Mora’s possibilities in attacking positions. The disagreement does not hide his expectation that the coach will find that solution within the model he has chosen for the team.

“I conclude the following: Farioli has not tried playing Rodrigo Moura in those positions I mentioned earlier. He still hasn’t explored everything Rodrigo Moura has to offer,” he summed up. “And what’s more, in my opinion, Moura has no place in midfield in Porto’s football. Because he is not a midfielder today, nor was he yesterday, nor is he today, nor will he be tomorrow.”

The question is therefore tied to creation and finishing: what could happen if the player were placed in an area where he has fewer meters to cover and more space to decide in the final third?

“Moura playing in the position of PP, of William and all that, was never tested, never trained. And maybe in that position Moura would create goal situations and score goals.”

It is a blunt challenge to Farioli, but one accompanied by a final declaration of confidence. Rodolfo Reis wants to see the experiment happen, without ceasing to hope that the coach stays the course.

“Ah, but I want to say one thing, Farioli. I’m very happy. Don’t speak any Portuguese and become champion.”

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