Diogo Costa, Froholdt, De Jong out: Porto set to rotate XI | OneFootball

Francesco Farioli is preparing changes in the lineup for Thursday, with at least two of the starters who played against Estoril losing their spots.

Diogo Costa and Froholdt were not called up by Farioli and will be rested, as well as Luuk de Jong. Despite the efforts of the medical department led by Nélson Puga, the striker remains limited by a left knee injury and is not yet fit to face V. Guimarães.

On the other hand, Deniz Gul completed a conditioned integrated training yesterday and was included in the squad, along with Karamoh, Ángel Alarcón, and Tomás Pérez, the latter eyeing his season debut. The main uncertainty is the goalkeeper position: with the captain absent, Cláudio Ramos and João Costa are competing for the spot – the former has two games in the Portuguese Cup and the latter has three with the B team.

The decision is obviously up to Farioli, but everything indicates that Cláudio has the advantage, not only because he has participated in fewer matches this 2025/26 season, but also because he is the natural alternative to Diogo Costa.

In defense, Martim Fernandes, Prpic, and Zaidu are competing for a starting spot; in midfield, Stephen Eustáquio emerges as a candidate to replace Froholdt. Gabri Veiga, who was not a starter against Estoril last Sunday, may reclaim his spot among the starters, as well as Pepê, who remained on the bench.

It remains to be decided which winger will keep the starting position: William Gomes or Borja Sainz. In the offensive axis, given that Gul's recovery happened at the last minute, Samu might retain his place – although Rodrigo Mora could also be used as a 'false 9'.

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