Bednarek and Kiwior form rock-solid duo at the back for FC Porto | OneFootball

A single draw in thirteen rounds clearly highlights one of FC Porto’s best starts to the Championship, firmly establishing their authority at the top of the table, now further reinforced, while Sporting and Benfica dropped points in the Lisbon derby – the leader pulls away by five and eight points, respectively. Defensive solidity stands out as the decisive factor in this blue-and-white escape. The title is starting to simmer in the minds of the fans, with a well-organized wall at the back. Diogo Costa has only conceded an own goal by Bednarek, as well as goals from Alanzinho (Moreirense) and Víctor Gómez (Braga).

Beyond internal drives, the three goals conceded are a points engine, forming a high-security system and, ultimately, summarizing a team capable of broadening horizons and rewriting chapters. Such a record takes us back to 1995/96, when FC Porto, managed by Robson and with central defenders like Jorge Costa, Aloísio, and Zé Carlos, reached the 13th round having conceded just two goals, with Baía in goal.

In this long retrospective, no other team has matched that feat until now, so Farioli can be proud of having built the best defensive coherence of the last nearly three decades. However, there is a curious parallel in the statistical archives: in 2005/06, with three goals conceded after 13 rounds, Vitória de Setúbal occupied 3rd place and boasted the best defense in the league. Norton de Matos was the coach; Janício, Auri, Ricardo Chaves, Fonte, and Nandinho formed a luxury defensive line in front of Moretto. Nandinho, the former left-back, remembers it with pride. “We were the best defense in Europe at that time.”

In fact, FC Porto stands out in 2025/26 among the main European leagues. Defensive consistency explains much of the robust leadership in the league, fueled by constant euphoria; and it’s impossible to talk about defensive merit without mentioning Bednarek and Kiwior, two pillars capable of raising the collective performance. Taking advantage of the qualities of the Polish internationals, the differences compared to last season’s FC Porto, which showed weaknesses at the back, are accentuated. The authority in the center of defense honors the legacy of Aloísio, Fernando Couto, and Jorge Costa, protagonists of an era; of Jorge Costa or Ricardo Carvalho in the Mourinho cycle; and of Bruno Alves, Pedro Emanuel, and Pepe, who starred in another victorious phase. There is also a close defensive parallel with Jesualdo Ferreira’s team in 2007/08, which conceded four goals in 13 rounds.

Nandinho knows well how a deep block feeds confidence and strengthens the group. “A well-structured, cohesive, and focused defense brings added value to a team. The rest ends up getting stronger. Not conceding goals gives encouragement and confidence, the work becomes easier, and the players feel stronger and more secure.”

Aloísio impressed by the impact of Bednarek and Kiwior at the back

A central figure for FC Porto in several seasons, Aloísio was part of the defense in 95/96 alongside Jorge Costa, when the team had only conceded two goals in the first 13 rounds. “A solid and secure defense is a guarantee of few goals conceded. If the midfield and attack don’t work as expected, the defenders’ solidity comes under scrutiny. And, in that regard, the Polish center-backs have been fundamental for the team conceding so little,” he confirms. “The best defense starts with the attack, because when there is pressure on the ball out, it makes things much easier for the defensive sector. FC Porto has that and, the less they concede, the more confidence they gain. The unity is clear, they work for the same goal. That’s the key to winning titles,” he adds.

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