Zaidu and Pietuszewski add extra drive down Porto’s left flank | OneFootball

More than the tactics, it is mostly the players' characteristics that influence the dynamics of the teams. At FC Porto, beyond Farioli's usual 4x3x3, the style of play has varied almost from match to match, and recently, this variation has been accentuated by the influence of the two starters on the left wing. With Zaidu and Pietuszewski starting the games simultaneously, the left flank gained more verticality and, aware of the danger created there, the team began to favor that side.

Analyzing FC Porto's attacking zones over the past month, there is a clear difference since the Zaidu–Pietuszewski duo took over as starters. Even though there was already a tendency for the left wing in the previous five games—with 38.4 percent of attacks there—this trend intensified in the matches against Nacional and Rio Ave, where the team built a large part of the game through the left flank (45.8 percent). This represents a difference of almost 15 points compared to the right wing (31.5 percent) and more than 20 points compared to the central corridor (22.7 percent).

This is mainly explained by the offensive pattern that the starting duo on the left side has offered in the last two games. Zaidu is a full-back who likes to advance quickly and stretches the play easily, while Pietuszewski, being strong in one-on-one situations, serves as a reference for teammates by seeking imbalances in the final third. It was precisely through this flank that the goal deciding the match against Rio Ave was born: Gabri Veiga—also tending to drift to that side—found the Polish winger behind the defense, followed by an assist for Froholdt's goal.

Comparing the two games where FC Porto was more left-oriented, against Nacional—where the offensive volume was lower—attacks on the left flank were at 44 percent. In the home game against Rio Ave, with many initiatives throughout the 90 minutes, the team concentrated 47.6 percent of attacks on the left wing. Almost half of the total attempts, confirming the team's tendency to seek the left side to create paths to the opponent's goal.

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