Farioli on first pre-season defeat: “Players have tired legs” | OneFootball

Francesco Farioli looked at FC Porto’s first pre-season defeat without losing sight of what matters most: the team’s response, physical management and the space given to the youngsters. With Torreense on the horizon and a title at stake in the Portuguese Cup, the coach also addressed the preparations for the official start of the season and a transfer market that is still open. On the accumulated fatigue, he assured: “The players have a lot of miles in their legs.”

In the middle of pre-season, Francesco Farioli delivered a calmly demanding message: work has been done, but there are also decisions and processes still to be completed. Between the need to arrive mentally and physically ready for the first challenge and the ambition to repeat what has already been achieved, the coach placed the focus on the mentality he wants to see in the group.

Asked about the conclusions to be drawn from the first pre-season defeat, Farioli refused to reduce the night to the result alone. The coach preferred to assess the performance, the chances created and the presence of the youngsters in the final part of the match.

“More than the result, we have to take the performance into account; the players have a lot of miles in their legs,” he said. “The result is not what we wanted, but it is another night in which we had many chances, especially in the first half, that we did not convert the way we wanted. We saw many young players on the pitch in the final part of the game, whom we have to assess and see where they are at, because they represent the future of the club.”

The defeat therefore becomes something to observe rather than a verdict. Farioli valued the signs shown by the team and treated the use of the younger players as part of an assessment that goes beyond the immediate moment.

The next commitment, with a title on the line against Torreense, inevitably brought discussion about the squad’s readiness and team decisions. Farioli did not hide that preparation for day one requires a full response, even though the market still demands attention.

“One thing is whether we will be ready mentally — we have to be, there is no other alternative. We are going to compete for a title,” he stressed. “Torreense had an incredible run in the Portuguese Cup, we do not want to underestimate anyone, so we have to be mentally and physically prepared if we want to lift the trophy. On the other hand, there is still the transfer market ahead, which will require time for us to finish some things before then.”

The message is clear: there is no room to take it easy against an opponent Farioli made a point of respecting. The ambition to lift the trophy coexists, however, with the awareness that the squad may still undergo adjustments.

On the possibility of fielding a team that is mentally and physically stronger, the coach framed the season as a challenge embraced by the whole club. The demands, he argued, begin with the daily work and the ability to live up to expectations.

“This season is a challenge that everyone at the club has embraced. We want to repeat what we did, make the fans proud of our mentality, and the results are a consequence,” he explained. “The players came back in good shape. It was time to rest, but also to prepare. Many things still have to be resolved and finalized. There is pressure on the pitch and everyone is pushing and working hard to meet expectations.”

Farioli points to a season in which ambition does not come without building. Good condition on the return is only the starting point for a team that intends to make mentality the foundation of its results.

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