André Silva, Farioli & Villas-Boas on call: “15 mins' notice, I sweated” | OneFootball

FC Porto has undergone profound changes, from the presidential box to the pitch. This FC Porto is very different from the one André left almost a decade ago, isn’t it?

“Basically in terms of the people, because otherwise I think what makes the club are its traditions, its values, and I think that remains very much intact. The grit with which people work, the resilience they show and demonstrate every day, all the staff. Some are familiar from my time, but most are new faces. But you can tell the values remain and that they are lived inside our home and our club.”

Who was the video call with? “With president André Villas-Boas and with mister Farioli. And with my agent. It was a surprise because, well, I wasn’t expecting it to happen because, also from what I had been hearing and finding out, that possibility seemed a bit far off to me. But when the opportunity came up, I think it was something that had to happen, and it happened at the right time.”

How did that conversation go? From what I understand, it wasn’t necessary to convince you. “No, it was basically the mister explaining the way he wants to play, the way he sees the work. The president also explained why we were having that call. I think they already knew where I stood, but I also took the chance to say what I wanted. After that, it was a matter of contract terms and numbers, which was sorted out quickly.”

What impression have you formed of the coach? After he presented his ideas to you, how has the work on the pitch been? The demands are at the highest level, that’s already clear, isn’t it? “Yes, I think he’s a Porto-type coach. I think he represents the club’s values very well and, on top of that, he brings something unique through his personality. But I can say he is very demanding, very… above all demanding about the details. He is also very strict about what he asks for, and I think he really looks for team unity, tactical unity, unity in the work, and for us to be… to be one on the pitch and one off it.”

To what extent did last season’s FC Porto surprise you? What did you most appreciate about that title-winning team managed by Farioli? “I think the strongest point that immediately comes to mind is the consistency throughout the season, their effort to give the maximum they could as a club, as quality players. I think it was always that consistency and never dropping a level, because they were always ready for the challenges and to fight.”

And how would you describe Farioli’s playing idea, now that you know it from the inside as well? “I think it’s about trying to work with the team as a whole, a block in which we all defend, we all attack, intense, without letting the opponent breathe, which also means we ourselves must always be ready not to breathe either, and that’s why we need the physical and mental side to always stay alert. I think it’s intensity, unity and work.”

Besides those principles, what have been the main ideas conveyed in the dressing room to prepare for the new season? “What happened has happened, it’s gone, we’ve enjoyed it, we’ve learned from it, and now we have to work twice as hard, give a little more than what was given last year. Mainly because that’s what we are, we’re the team to beat. We have the club’s honour to defend, and that’s it: work for our pride, for ourselves, and against everyone who wants to take us from our place.”

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