Farioli seeks redemption v Santa Clara: “We must hit 88 points at home” | OneFootball

Francesco Farioli did not hide the frustration caused by a defeat that halted FC Porto in the penultimate round of the league and denied them the chance to match the points record. After the loss against AFS, the Porto coach pointed to a lack of aggression, lamented the inefficiency in both boxes, and immediately shifted the focus to the home match against Santa Clara. Amid the frustration, he also set a target for the final chapter and assured: “We have to move forward.”

Already crowned national champions, FC Porto are approaching the end of the season with the peace of mind of having achieved their main objective, but with no room for complacency in the messaging. Francesco Farioli spoke with the weight of someone who saw his team fall below their standard and reinforced an idea that ran through his entire analysis: even after winning the title, the level of demand is non-negotiable.

Asked for his reading of the match in Vila das Aves, Farioli gave an assessment that combined criticism and a warning. He acknowledged the team’s attacking output and focus, but immediately highlighted the price paid in the details, especially in the decisive moments of the game.

“The concentration was there. In the first half, if we look at the numbers, the three or four times they got into our box, they punished us,” he said. “We created a lot, but when we drop in certain aspects such as aggression, it becomes more difficult. You have to pay attention to the small details or you pay dearly for it.”

The coach then broadened the analysis to what comes next, refusing to treat the defeat as an episode without consequences. In his view, the match already serves as a warning for the immediate close of the season and for next season’s work.

“This game must be a reminder for the next game and for next season. We have to move forward and try to reach 88 points in front of our fans,” he explained. “It was a good opportunity to make evaluations for the next game and for next season. To win games, we all have to be at our best level.”

In Farioli’s view, there is a clear refusal to hide behind the attacking volume created. FC Porto did produce, yes, but they did not turn that into enough dominance where it matters most, and that is where the coach places his demands.

“The team’s performance was not the best, but it was enough to be able to win the game. That says a lot about the competitiveness of the league,” he analysed. “Apart from the moments in both boxes, it was quite a decent display. Given the number of chances we created, I’m annoyed because I wanted more.”

When the conversation moved to the final round and the home match against Santa Clara, the tone remained firm. Farioli called for an immediate response and reminded everyone that the image left by this defeat is far from the identity he wants to see repeated.

“We have to be the team we were in many games. It is not usual to see FC Porto losing and conceding three goals,” he stressed. “Last week was a tasty cold shower, but today we got wet and the feeling is not good. This has to put us on alert.”

The coach also insisted on the idea that, at this level, any drop-off is paid for immediately. And by praising the way AFS competed, he implicitly highlighted the contrast with what he felt was missing from his own team.

“We are playing at a level where we cannot drop our standards in anything. We saw how AFS fought, and when you work like that, luck comes your way,” he said. “Today we dropped our levels in several aspects, namely in aggression and in the way we attacked the ball.”

In the final part of his explanation, Farioli returned to the point that troubled him most: the inability to turn presence in the box into goals. It is an observation that works as a summary of the lost game and, at the same time, as a message for the season farewell in front of their own fans.

“We got into the opposition box several times and saw the ball go across the face of goal several times. We have to be more aggressive to turn those chances into goals.”

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