Farioli hails Alverca, warns Porto: “Away games are tougher” | OneFootball

FC Porto visits Alverca in the 15th round of the Primeira Liga. Francesco Farioli previewed the match and focused on the three points.

«A tough game. Playing away is even more complicated. Alverca has interesting aspects that we need to keep in mind. They have a great ability to create opportunities, very good physical capacity, and are strong in aerial duels. They have been doing well at home and in general. All the focus is on tomorrow».

«Physical condition? Everyone is back and recovered. Francisco Moura will train 100% today, I hope. I believe he will be part of the game. Everyone will be ready».

«Thiago Silva? In the last three games, we conceded three goals. The president and I decided, therefore, to sign a great central defender, super experienced. Joking aside, he is a good addition to the squad. Having players of this level helps make the team better and reach the best level. I talked to him, and he showed enthusiasm. He started his career in Europe at FC Porto, won a Champions League at Dragão, and comes with a lot of humility and willingness to help. He always said he came to help. We have central defenders doing a good job, and he comes to help. We will have many games to play, and we need quality, experience, and leadership. It's a good addition».

«Absence of Bednarek? It's the first game he won't be with the team due to suspension. In others, we managed the team. He is important in leadership and technically, recognized by everyone as captain. He has an incredible winning mentality. We will try to find a solution. Between Prpic and Rosario will be my decision».

«Referee João Pinheiro? It's not about the referee's performance in an isolated case. I believe mistakes are part of the game, players make mistakes, I make mistakes in substitutions. It's part of the game. Referee mistakes are normal. The problem is something deeper. When you have the feeling that the system is always studying, focus and study are needed to see what is missing. To respect the level of competition, justice, and keep Portuguese football as a reference. FC Porto's statement was clear, very calm, and highlighted the importance of analyzing the situation. It's becoming unsustainable».

«Face-off between referee and Bednarek? When I say it's unsustainable… The fourth referee asks me to stay calm and help manage the game, but I think it's a shame so many interruptions, so many cards. Something is out of control. It's not possible to spend more time on this than the ball rolling on the field. I think the way VAR is being used in football, in general… The idea is positive to help referees and correct wrong and difficult decisions. The speed of the game increases from season to season, and it's hard to reconcile. VAR is a tool to judge the referee. From good, it has become something that will generate judgments. I think it needs to be evaluated differently. We have to go back to the origins and use VAR to help and not to judge. Let's close the chapter on refereeing and focus on tomorrow's game, it's the priority. I hope the problem is solved at the level it needs to be, for the game, for the fans, for the clubs' investment in money and passion».

«Detail? We are focused. The physical and mental aspect and its management are key. We try a way to give moments of rest. With late games, travels… With a game at 9 PM, it's not easy to go straight to bed. We try to provide help and support to the players. We will do a physical assessment this morning to check the players' progress and muscle growth. In such a rigid schedule, it's impossible because you end up losing weight and muscles. What we are doing is remarkable. We are trying to pay attention, calculate the elements that can help or not the team. We want the right mentality to put the right energy».

«Market? We still have nine or ten days until it opens. The January market is crazy, crazier than the summer. We are working to be prepared. Things are at the right pace. We are analyzing the market to see what it can offer. The president is focused on strengthening the team in the best possible way. The profiles on the table are different, but communication between all parties involved in the market is fluid and open. We are aligned».

«Influence of refereeing on players? I don't know how to talk more and go deeper. The system is failing. If I go home and turn on the TV looking for images, there are two or three programs about refereeing. In newspapers, there are several pages occupied with refereeing, some questionable. As a foreigner, sometimes it's difficult. The amount of hours and pages about refereeing is unreal. I come from Italy where this is a topic, in Turkey too, but here it's another level. It's necessary to have the desire to take the right steps and clean up this image. It's necessary for me and you to take a step back and start talking about the game. There is a lot of talent and this country has a reference word in the world, the national team will play in the World Cup. It's necessary to talk about the qualities of the Primeira Liga, of Portuguese football. The first sign has to come from the people in charge, then it's up to us to find a different way to manage».

The match between Alverca and FC Porto kicks off at 6:45 PM this Monday, December 22.

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