Villas-Boas urges Diogo Jota tribute and underlines Porto’s commitment to victory in Champions League | OneFootball

FC Porto president André Villas-Boas said the Champions League draw is always demanding and that the club must live up to its European history. 'We carry the weight of our history and the responsibility to do well,' he said.

Speaking to Canal 11 after the draw in Nyon, he said the challenge is significant. Porto will host Manchester City and visit Liverpool, and he suggested the Anfield trip could be used to honour Diogo Jota, a former player of both clubs who died in July.

Porto will also face Betis at the Benito Villamarín in Seville, Feyenoord in the Netherlands and LASK away in Austria. PSV Eindhoven, Napoli and Slavia Prague are due at the Estádio do Dragão, with City the 2023 European champions.

The league phase runs from eight to 10 September 2026, concluding on 27 January 2027. Each team plays eight games, four at home and four away, with the top eight into the last 16 and the ninth to 24th places in a play-off.

Villas-Boas said the squad is balanced but could still be strengthened if opportunities arise, and he was firm on keeping goalkeeper and captain Diogo Costa. He praised the impact of centre-backs Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior, and added, 'We have a commitment to victory' under coach Francesco Farioli, who ended a four-year wait for the title.

Source: O Jogo

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