Thiago Silva returns to marshal Porto defence in Europe v Forest | OneFootball

A starter in both legs of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 against Stuttgart, Thiago Silva began on the bench in the matches against SC Braga, which the Dragons won 2-1, and at home to Famalicão last Saturday, which ended in a disappointing 2-2 draw. Before that, he had also been a substitute in the clássico against Benfica (2-2) at the Luz, the match that came before the first clash with the Germans.

It was precisely in the second game against Stuttgart, won 2-0, that the 41-year-old Brazil international reached the milestone of 1,000 career matches — a remarkable achievement in a journey that, since January, has gained a new chapter in blue and white. The calmness and professionalism he has brought to the dressing room are held up as an example for the younger players in the squad.

His place on the bench in recent league games may suggest otherwise, but Thiago Silva’s physical condition does not limit his use by Francesco Farioli. Even so, Porto’s packed schedule calls for caution and careful management of the experienced centre-back in more demanding matches, such as Thursday’s against Nottingham Forest, the first of two European fixtures that will decide qualification for the competition’s semi-finals. The Italian coach knows well the value of the Brazilian’s experience on European nights and intends to make the most of it.

The transalpine coach’s plan for that game points to Thiago Silva being in the starting eleven. One of the first-choice centre-backs will be rested, and the Brazilian will once again lead Porto’s defence, with the assurance that, with him, FC Porto do not lose solidity: in the eight matches he has started, the blue and whites have conceded goals in only three. Namely: Benfica, in the Portuguese Cup (1-0), V. Guimarães (1-0), Gil Vicente (3-0) and Nacional (1-0) in the league, and Stuttgart (2-0) in European competition.

In a season in which he is making his Europa League debut, after 105 appearances at the highest level in the Champions League, it is only natural that Thiago Silva quietly dreams of going further in the competition. And going further means reaching the final on 20 May at Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul. It is not a far-fetched goal, considering that Nottingham Forest arrive at this stage involved in a battle for survival in the Premier League, sitting 16th, just three points above the relegation zone, where West Ham are.

Given FC Porto’s poor record on English soil — Porto fans still vividly remember the 2-0 defeat to Nottingham in the league phase — Farioli’s side have every reason to build a result at the Dragão that leaves the door to the semi-finals only slightly ajar.

To do that, being clinical in front of goal will be decisive, but so will not conceding. Thiago Silva is ready for that high-risk mission. It is also worth noting that the Brazilian knows the opponent well: he faced Nottingham four times while at Chelsea, always in the league. Balance defined those encounters on English soil — one win, two draws and one defeat, fittingly at Stamford Bridge, 1-0, on 2 September 2023.

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