Farioli ahead of Moreirense: “We must start with the right spirit” | OneFootball

FC Porto host Moreirense in the opening match of the fourth round of the Primeira Liga. Francesco Farioli previewed the game at the Olival Training Centre, at a time when the Dragons have only wins and have yet to concede a goal this season.

«Moreirense are building on last season, with a very attacking mentality, capable of creating advantages in several areas of the pitch and, from what we knew from last season and this one, they will demand focus and the right mindset».

«Manchester City? Nothing is distracting us from the game at the Dragão against Moreirense. We have always spoken about different books for different competitions, and it will be the same this year. The focus will be on Moreirense. We are opening the round and we have to do it with the right mindset. I believe we are on the right path and with the right attitude for tomorrow’s game».

«Keeping the core of the squad? Continuing the work we have done is crucial. We know what the new expectations are, what I demand from the players, they know how I think, how I see football and daily life at Olival. It makes things easier and creates a different speed in every process. Spending a lot of time with the same people carries the risk of going on autopilot, but I do not think that is the case here. The group has the right spirit and hunger to go for more. That makes me happy. In the final days of the market we had some additions to the squad. The challenge is to integrate them, they come with different backgrounds and different rhythms. Souza had 45 minutes in pre-season, Santi only had his first training sessions of the season in recent days. The challenge is to bring everyone together to maximize the quality of each individual and of the group. Between those who were already here and the new faces, there is a lot of work to do. We are going to start playing every three days, then with the international break, and it will require a lot of work. It will demand a lot of effort, patience and work from everyone involved».

«Assessment of the squad? It is far too early to make those comments. Some players arrived yesterday, without being ready to play or prepared for it. Up front, we have André, Samu coming back, and Santiago, very experienced and someone who will contribute, but he is coming off two difficult seasons and needs to recover his level and fitness. The team always prioritizes intensity and physical condition. One aspect is the players’ profile and another is their ability to give their maximum and their best. It will require patience and attention to detail, and it will be demanding because of all the competitions we are in. The margins are minimal and every detail matters».

«New signings in the squad list? They have to be there. We will have to manage them, but Santiago and Souza will be included if the paperwork is sorted out. Gabriel is different, the paperwork is not ready. He arrives with a different status, he will not be part of the Champions League list. Santi and Souza will be there».

«Champions League list? It was a day of decisions, according to the demands and the scenarios I expect to face. Leaving out Dominik [Prpic] is difficult, he has been with us for a year, he helps us a lot in playing and training. I spoke to him and he accepted it, he is happy to be here and to help. Not being on the UEFA list does not compromise anything, there are so many games to play that there will be time for everyone. The 23, 24 players who are part of this group will all have an important role, last season proved that. In a long season, there are moments of decline, and if someone else can step up, that is good. Last season, Alberto’s peak helped manage Martim’s injury, and with Alberto’s fatigue, Martim stepped up. The same happened with other players».

«Managing Santiago Giménez and André Silva? With Santi, we have to take it day by day. We have to assess the situation and deal with it as it is. Tomorrow, we will have to use the games to give players match fitness. The summer was not easy for him, and the last two years have also been somewhat complicated. We are not discussing the player’s level, with a massive impact at the clubs where he has played, with experience and hunger to help. We have to be careful in how we manage him. André is in incredible form. We joked with him because in Viseu he ran 12 kilometres, almost matching Froholdt’s numbers. That says a lot about his spirit and desire to help, defending with remarkable focus, with extra effort and always at the service of the team. He is fully committed to the team. When Samu comes back, a lot of FC Porto’s season will depend on these three guys. We want all three to be in the best possible shape».

«Gabriel Mec? He has some of Rodrigo’s characteristics. He is more of a winger who comes inside, but he can also play as an attacking midfielder. He has had good development at Grémio and has a lot of potential. The club is alert to market opportunities. A player with this potential being available created the desire to move for him. He needs to grow physically, adapt to different demands, without rushing or forcing anything. He has to be ready as soon as possible, his opportunity will come too».

«Seko Fofana? He will be with the team tomorrow, ready to help. He is 100% back with the team».

«Keeping Diogo Costa? It worked well [closing the airport]. Thank God everything worked out, he is with us. I believe it is essential that he stays».

«Samu registered for the Champions League? He is a player who is far too important for us. We are all waiting for him as soon as possible. I want to have that bullet in the chamber. We are going to be careful, he has been doing fantastic work, with the desire to push himself to the limit, even beyond the limit. He went beyond the limits of what is humanly possible in dealing with effort and work. The work done with Pedro, he practically slept with him, has been remarkable, as has the work of the medical team. I would love to put him in the starting eleven tomorrow, he is a monster waiting for his opportunity. There are still physical and physiological things that have to be respected. We will try to shorten the layoff, but we cannot put the player at risk because of the desire and feeling of wanting him back. Before he returns to official competition, I want all green lights from the medical team. He is still in the process. His mentality and desire make it hard to keep him out. This period has made him understand the importance of hard work. He is even better in several physical parameters now. We do not want to force anything».

«Competition for the left side of defence? I have already partly answered that. In this team, everyone has a role. The market, the news, the rumours can create some difficulties or mental pressure. Now the market is closed for us. This is the group until January. From now on, these are the people we believe in, who will wear this shirt this season and face the challenges. Even those who felt they might be elsewhere, now is the time to feel that they are with us. We need the best version of everyone, with the desire to make the fans happy, starting tomorrow».

The match between FC Porto and Moreirense is scheduled for this Friday, 4 September, kicking off at 20:15.

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