Pepê hits top form by the… match mark | OneFootball

Pepê got his sixth season at FC Porto off to the best possible start. After leaving a strong impression in the win over Aston Villa a week ago — scoring the decisive 2-1 — in the presentation match for members and fans, the Brazil international once again earned the trust of Francesco Farioli. He started against Torreense, a match that ended with the Dragons winning the 25th Super Cup in their history.

Much like what had happened against the English side, the number 11 once again played an important role. In Coimbra, he did not score, but he assisted Victor Froholdt for the decisive goal with a perfect cross that allowed the Danish midfielder to score with a header.

The move began, interestingly enough, on the left flank, an area Pepê knows very well, although one he has used less often in recent times. Last season, the 29-year-old mostly played on the right side of Porto’s attack, but the start of 2026/27 has moved him back to his original position. A natural left winger, it was in that role that he stood out at Grêmio, performances that led FC Porto to pay 15 million euros to sign him in 2021.

In the Super Cup, Pepê confirmed that he still fully possesses the qualities that made his name and delivered a high-level performance. In addition to the assist for Froholdt, the winger from Foz do Iguaçu created other dangerous moments in advanced areas, including the pass to William Gomes, who shot over the bar before the 1-0. He also once again showed his willingness to defend and his intelligence in occupying spaces, traits greatly appreciated by Farioli.

Even after William went off, when it would have been expected for him to switch to the right, Pepê remained on the left wing. Borja Sainz took up the opposite flank in a rather unusual setup. It remains to be seen whether the number 11 will continue in that position against Alverca. Oskar Pietuszewski has already recovered and appears as an alternative to consider…

“Win even more”

The trophy won by FC Porto the day before yesterday officially corresponded to Pepê’s eighth title with the blue and whites. However, in comments to the press office, the Brazil international mentioned “nine titles,” including the Super Cup won by the Dragons in 2024 against Sporting — in an epic comeback, 4-3, in Aveiro. On that occasion, the winger was not present, as he joined Porto’s pre-season later due to Brazil’s participation in that year’s Copa América. “I’m very happy with this latest achievement in the FC Porto shirt. The group deserves congratulations, we have worked very hard and the result is there. It is my ninth title here and I hope to win even more,” Pepê stressed.

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