Depleted FC Porto open door to youngsters for Choupana trip | OneFootball

Francesco Farioli faces his toughest selection squeeze at FC Porto, with six out and Martim Fernandes a doubt for Sunday afternoon’s trip to Choupana to face Nacional.

According to O Jogo, Moura is suspended after a fifth league booking and William Gomes serves the second game of his ban after a straight red against Casa Pia. Samu, Kiwior, Nehuén Pérez and Luuk de Jong are injured. Fernandes will undergo treatment this week to try to ease inflammation in his right foot.

With those absences, 19 senior players remain, or 20 if Fernandes recovers, and three are goalkeepers. Farioli has turned to João Brandão’s B team, drafting in Dinis Rodrigues (right-back), Gabriel Brás (centre-back), João Teixeira (midfielder) and Gonçalo Sousa (right winger).

Some are likely to travel to Madeira, as the coach typically names 22 to 24 players for away games. Midfield is relatively untouched, and Pablo Rosario, who stayed on the bench in the clássico due to a minor knock, should be available.

Farioli will need to alter his XI and possibly the plan for a game that matters in the title race. Porto have dropped five points in the last two rounds, though two came against the second-placed side, their worst run under him. Whatever happens in Choupana, they will remain outright leaders and still control their path to a first title since 2020/21.

Source: O Jogo