Martim Fernandes: “No guaranteed starters, no bad blood” | OneFootball

Martim Fernandes: “There are no untouchable starters or bad blood in the dressing room”

In an exclusive interview with O Jogo, full-back Martim Fernandes painted an optimistic picture of FC Porto’s current moment as they enter the decisive stage of the season, with three competitions still in play — the league, the Portuguese Cup, and the Europa League.

The defender highlighted the group’s solidity as one of the team’s main strengths, stressing that any conflicts are dealt with immediately and leave no lingering resentment. “If we have to sort out a problem, we sort it out on the spot and we’re friends again right away,” he said, assuring that the spirit of unity is felt both on and off the pitch.

On the influence of Francesco Farioli, Martim acknowledges a clear change in the working culture — greater intensity in training, higher demands in every action — and believes the Italian coach has restored a sense of identity to the club that had been missing. He also praised the smart squad management, with players rotated between the Europa League and the league without creating fixed hierarchies. For the full-back, it is precisely this lack of untouchable starters that keeps the atmosphere healthy and everyone motivated.

The blend of youth and experience is another distinguishing factor. Martim singled out Jan Bednarek as the clearest example of that quiet leadership, describing him as “a father and a boss” — someone who commands respect and gives confidence to younger players. Playing alongside a centre-back of that stature, he says, is “a relief” that allows the full-backs to take more risks.

As for the run-in, the player does not shy away from the challenge: stepping onto the pitch to win, whether in Europe or in the league, regardless of any need to manage an advantage in the standings.

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