FC Porto v Benfica: A blue and white family united, fighting for their city | OneFootball

At the end of a week with three matches, following victories in Arouca (0-3) and against Red Star (2-1), FC Porto hosts Benfica in the eighth round of a championship they lead with a 100% winning record. From 21:15, the Estádio do Dragão will host the 258th classic between the two teams.

The players coached by Francesco Farioli remain isolated at the top of the table with seven wins in seven rounds, 19 goals scored and only one conceded, while the team from Luz is in third place, with four points less (17), after home draws with Santa Clara (1-1) and Rio Ave (1-1).

In the previous 257 encounters, the Dragons have 102 wins, 62 draws, and 93 losses – an even more favorable record in Invicta, where FC Porto won 70 of the 119 duels, drew 30, and lost 19.

Tickets for the derby sold out in a few hours and there will be no lack of support in the stands, just days after the Club signed a protocol with the Super Dragões and Colectivo Ultras 95. A choreography is being prepared for the teams' entrance, so fans are encouraged to arrive early and not to move the cards from their places. The gates open at 19:15.

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FC PortoIn the preview of “an important but not decisive game”, Francesco Farioli highlighted the need for “the players to be prepared, react quickly and make the best decisions”, facing the challenge “with the right mentality and a lot of will”, because “plans without passion never work”.

Against “an opponent that competes at the highest level”, “that plays in the Champions League and has a very high budget”, the Italian coach promises “to give everything to make the fans happy” and emphasizes that “the support of the fans demands even more attention, passion, and courage”. “We will approach the game with a lot of hunger and the desire to empty the tank”, assures the coach, ready to “represent the city” in the best way in a “big game” where “the demand is maximum”. Nehuén Pérez and Luuk de Jong are out due to injury, as is Martim Fernandes, who is serving a suspension after being sent off for accumulating yellow cards in Arouca.

BenficaThe Lisbon team strengthened with Obrador, Dedić, Richard Ríos, Barrenechea, Lukébakio, Sudakov, and Ivanović to fill the departures of Carreras, Florentino, Kökçü, Di María, Aktürkoğlu, Tengstedt, and Arthur Cabral. The Colombian midfielder from Palmeiras is the only new signing to start in all 14 official matches for Benfica so far – including the Super Cup – alongside Otamendi and Aursnes.

Pavlidis, Dahl, Dedić, and Barrenechea started in 13 matches, Trubin and António Silva in 12, Ivanović and Schjelderup in eight, and Sudakov made his debut in the eleven since his arrival from Ukraine – just like Lukébakio, who started in the last two rounds. The Greek forward is the top scorer (7) and top assist provider (2) of the team coached by José Mourinho, who cannot count on the injured Bah, Manu Silva, and Bruma, nor on Prestianni, who is with Argentina's under-20 national team.

Referee TeamThe referee appointed by the Arbitration Council of the Portuguese Football Federation is Miguel Nogueira, from the Lisbon Football Association, who will make his debut in classics. He will have Paulo Brás and Nuno Pires as assistants, with Gustavo Correia as the fourth official. In the VAR will be Bruno Esteves from Setúbal, accompanied by Pedro Felisberto.

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