FC Porto v Estrela da Amadora: Dragons eye another win to cement top spot | OneFootball

The second of three consecutive home matches brings Estrela da Amadora to Estádio do Dragão, with kickoff scheduled for 8:45 pm this Monday (Sport TV). During this festive season, FC Porto is once again promoting a food drive, joining the “Zero Hunger” campaign.

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Between 5:30 pm and halftime, club supporters can donate non-perishable food items (rice, pasta, canned goods, etc.) or hygiene products (shampoos, deodorants, etc.) at the collection point set up next to the Museum.

The items collected will then be distributed to four social support institutions: Centro Juvenil de Campanhã, Obra Nossa Senhora das Candeias, APPACDM – Porto, and APPDA Norte. This is an initiative the Club carries out regularly, relying on the generosity of its members and fans.

Currently leading the league, with 12 wins and one draw, FC Porto hosts the 13th-placed team, which has 14 points from three wins, five draws, and five losses. In the first 13 rounds, the Dragons defeated AFS (3-0), Casa Pia (3-5), and FC Arouca (3-1), drew with Estoril Praia (1-1), FC Alverca (2-2), Santa Clara (0-0), CD Tondela (0-0), and CD Nacional (1-1), and were defeated by Benfica (0-1), Vitória SC (0-2), Gil Vicente (2-0), Rio Ave (1-2), and Sporting (4-0).

In the 42 previous encounters between the two teams, FC Porto has won 26, drawn ten, and lost six, with 82 goals scored and 30 conceded. In Porto, the record is even more favorable: 18 wins, two draws, and only one loss.

Tickets are still available at bilhetes.FCPorto.pt, at FC Porto Stores, and at the Member’s Shop. The doors of the Dragão open at 7:15 pm, and the minimum membership fee required for entry is November’s.

FC Porto

Prepared to face “a team that is in a good moment and recently changed coach,” a decision that “had a positive impact,” Francesco Farioli describes Estrela da Amadora as “one of the best offensive teams” and emphasizes that “all of this will require a lot of attention” from FC Porto.

Nevertheless, “the preparation was very positive,” and the Italian coach expects the group “to come in with the right desire and effort to play another good game at the Dragão,” reinforcing that “attitude is key”: “We can’t control the results 100%, but we can control our attitude.”

“We really need our fans. There are still tickets on sale, I know it can be hard to attend on a Monday night, but it’s very important to have the stadium full of people supporting us,” appealed the coach, whose “daily struggle is to keep everyone alert.” “We want to move forward with the right energy and desire. If we want to achieve something important in the future, tomorrow’s game could be crucial,” he added in the press room at CTFD Jorge Costa.

Gabri Veiga and Rodrigo Mora have already been declared fit and “both will be part of the squad.” On the other hand, Nehuén Pérez and Luuk de Jong are still recovering under the care of the medical department and are confirmed absences, as is Zaidu, who joined the Nigerian national team camp ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), set for Sunday in Morocco.

Estrela da Amadora

The Reboleira club saw the departure of its two most-used goalkeepers, including João Costa, and eight members of the previous squad. In return, they signed 24 reinforcements: goalkeeper Renan Ribeiro, defenders Sidny Cabral, Atanas Chernev, Bernardo Schappo, and Luan Patrick, midfielder Oumar Ngom, and forwards Ianis Stoica and Abraham Marcus – the latter coming from FC Porto B – all immediately joining the starting eleven led by João Nuno, hired from Belenenses at the end of September.

Midfielder Paulo Moreira and forwards Kikas and Jovane Cabral have been regular options, along with the eight reinforcements already mentioned. João Nuno also often brings on midfielder Robinho, winger Jorge Meireles – another former FC Porto B player – and forwards Rodrigo Pinho and Leandro Antonetti from the bench.

Full-back Sidny Cabral (five goals) and forward Kikas (four) are the team’s top scorers, while midfielders Robinho and Oumar Ngom stand out for assists, with four decisive passes each.

Refereeing Team

Miguel Fonseca, from the Porto Football Association, was appointed by the Refereeing Council of the Portuguese Football Federation. The 29-year-old referee will be assisted by João Martins and Luís Costa, with José Bessa as the fourth official. VAR will be handled by João Bento, assisted by Márcio Azevedo.

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