Farioli gets a head start and fine-tunes plans for new season | OneFootball

No time to lose. After enjoying his first summer holiday in five years, Francesco Farioli, Record has learned, returned to Porto last Monday and has been using the days leading up to the official start of pre-season, scheduled for Wednesday, to prepare in detail for a campaign expected to be even more demanding than the last.

When he left the city, a few days after leading FC Porto to the national title, the Italian coach said he would return with “energy and enthusiasm” to begin a new cycle. And that promise is already being fulfilled. Away from the spotlight, the 37-year-old has kept a busy schedule, finalising preparations, defining the first training microcycles and aligning procedures with the other members of the coaching staff.

In addition to the work on the pitch, these days have also been used for regular contact with the club’s SAD structure, at a time when various aspects related to squad building and the organisation of the new season are still being defined. The goal is to ensure everything is ready when the players return to work, allowing for a smooth start.

After a memorable debut season in Portugal, crowned by winning the league title, Farioli knows expectations have risen significantly. The responsibility will be greater in 2026/27, in a campaign in which FC Porto begin as defending champions, but will also face the challenge of competing in the Champions League, a stage on which the Italian coach will make his debut.

The demands will be at their highest from day one, something that fits perfectly with Farioli’s profile, known for his attention to detail, methodological rigour and meticulous preparation of every session. Pre-season will be crucial to consolidate the ideas that underpinned last season’s success, integrate any new additions to the squad, led by signing André Silva, and lay the foundations for a season in which the Dragons want to compete for every title once again.

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