FC Porto gamble by playing it safe in title defence | OneFootball

After ending a three-season ‘drought’ without winning the league title, the next objective for the ‘blue and whites’ is to retain the crown and cement their position at the top of Portuguese football. This is, however, a mission that has historically eluded the club, which has not celebrated back-to-back league titles since the ‘three-peat’ of 2012/13.

Unlike the record investment made to strengthen the squad last season, the ‘dragons’ are now adopting a policy of greater financial restraint. The priority is to keep the key players, rather than embark on another market ‘revolution’.

FC Porto therefore present themselves as a more predictable team, keeping the emblematic 4-3-3 system restored by Farioli. The coach demands high physical levels in duels and in pressing the opposition’s build-up, while set pieces continue to be one of the team’s main weapons.

Under the leadership of Diogo Costa, Portugal’s first-choice goalkeeper, Porto have a solid pair of Polish centre-backs in Kiwior and Bednarek. The team also boasts Pablo Rosario’s ability to play vertical passes, Gabri Veiga’s intensity, and the flair of young wingers Pietuszewski and William Gomes, among other standout players.

Aside from activating Kiwior’s purchase clause from Arsenal, after the defender had already represented FC Porto the previous season, the first-team squad currently has only three new signings: André Silva (formerly of Elche, Spain), Hwang In-beom (formerly of Feyenoord, Netherlands) and João Afonso (formerly of Estrela da Amadora), all for the 2026/27 season.

The return of the Portugal international striker, signed on a free transfer ten years after leaving the club for AC Milan, is one of the main sources of excitement among the fans. This comes at a time when Samu is still recovering from an injury and is only expected to return to action in November.

Meanwhile, Hwang In-beom, who cost the ‘blue and whites’ 4.5 million euros, is seen as the direct replacement for Seko Fofana, who has returned to Rennes after his loan spell. The South Korean will also be an alternative to Froholdt in the ‘number eight’ role, although he has more technical and less physical characteristics.

With a squad that, for now, remains very similar and may still undergo further adjustments during the transfer window, FC Porto will have to balance participation in the Primeira Liga, which the club treats as its priority, with their return to the Champions League. The demands of Europe’s premier club competition will represent Farioli’s biggest physical, mental and tactical management challenge so far.

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