Stephen Eustáquio’s brother: “Any player left out has reason to worry” | OneFootball

Mauro Eustáquio has been closely following, from the other side of the Atlantic, his brother Stephen’s career at FC Porto. Very close to the player, the coach does not show any concern regarding the few minutes Stephen has played for Porto this season.

Last season, they even worked together when Mauro was the assistant coach of the Canadian national team. For that reason, and more than most, he knows how Stephen is dealing with this period of less playing time under the guidance of the Italian coach Francesco Farioli.

Mauro Eustáquio analyzed his brother’s performance this season and said he believes Stephen will respond when called upon by the FC Porto coach.

Stephen is not one to shy away from a fight and will work as hard as possible to help FC Porto

Mauro’s connection to Portugal is also family-based and almost umbilical. Stephen, his brother, started against Utrecht but has had few minutes of play at FC Porto. Are you worried about that?

Any player outside the starting eleven is a cause for concern. There’s an emotional component due to the family connection, but I recall that, in previous seasons, few predicted that Stephen would become a starter or have the impact he has had at FC Porto in recent years. I know his qualities well and I know he doesn’t shy away from confrontation: he will work as hard as possible to, first, help FC Porto achieve its goals and, naturally, get back on the pitch regularly.

And why do you think Stephen has had so little playing time this season?

The squad is strong and has been reinforced. There is also a new coach, with different ideas, who brought in specific players for certain roles. I don’t take anything away from Stephen – we’ve seen him win titles with FC Porto and, even in this system and under this coach, he’s already had minutes. I think we need to be patient: the season is long and, surely, he will have his role. The team is going through a good moment and Stephen is part of that group. His performance in the Europa League was positive. He has to be ready for opportunities, whether it’s five or ten minutes, or starting the match. He’s an exemplary professional and when he gets more chances, he’ll take them.

Could he be affected by the tactical changes introduced by coach Francesco Farioli, since he has preferred to have more combative players in the starting eleven, like Alan Varela?

I wouldn’t say it’s just about being combative, but about the styles the coach prefers in a player and perhaps doesn’t see in another. Last year, Stephen, when playing in a two-man midfield, and now in a three-man midfield, and even with the national team under Jesse Marsch, showed he’s capable of playing high-press football and man-to-man marking all over the pitch. His physical condition is well known. In the end, it’s a matter of the coach’s preference, which is natural: a coach can’t field fifteen players and has to make choices. Right now, FC Porto’s options have been working. Like any player, you need patience, keep working, and wait for more opportunities.

An ocean away, is it hard to always follow your brother’s games closely?

No, actually it’s quite easy. The time difference makes it easier for me to follow his football than ours here. Since we’re behind Portugal, I can watch the games. For him to watch my games is more complicated, because they end up being quite late.

Working with my brother on the national team? It was a new experience, a strange experience at first, something I’ll always remember.

What was it like working with him on the Canadian national team?

It was an interesting experience. It was one of the few times we were in the same circle – same hotel, same field – and, paradoxically, we talked less. We had a strictly professional relationship: at first there were two or three conversations, then we kept it professional, talking when necessary and being demanding when appropriate. It was very positive to work at the highest level of national teams. In that camp we played against Mexico and the United States and came back with two wins. It was an important moment for me personally and being able to do it with my brother was a dream; something new and strange at first, which I’ll always cherish.

And not even when you got home, did you ever call your brother to say something you didn’t want to say in public in front of the other national team players?

No. Anyone who knows Stephen knows he always gives his best, whether in training or in a game. We have to accept that not everything goes well and that some things go very well. Given the professionalism required in the national team and Stephen’s own professionalism, feedback has to be given at the right time, letting mistakes and successes show themselves on the pitch. That communication didn’t happen, much less during the camp.

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