All-powerful Bednarek already holds special status at FC Porto | OneFootball

Bednarek remains a key figure at the heart of the Dragons’ defense. Last weekend in Barcelos, the 29-year-old center-back reached a milestone by scoring his first goal in the blue and white jersey, after 11 matches.

The goal came from a header, following a corner taken by Gabri Veiga, thanks to a good leap—one of the defender’s qualities. He also provided an assist for one of Samu’s goals. Although not known for his goal-scoring prowess, Bednarek has previously demonstrated his ability to step up on big occasions: before joining FC Porto, he played 184 matches in the Premier League, scoring a total of nine goals. For the Polish national team, for which he has been called up 72 times, he scored his only goal at the 2018 World Cup, against Japan.

Curiously, Bednarek has already scored against Nottingham Forest, FC Porto’s next opponent in the UEFA Europa League: in January, while playing for Southampton, he scored one of the goals in a 3-2 defeat at the City Ground—where the Dragons will play next Thursday. In the following Premier League round, he scored again, this time against Newcastle, although his team lost 3-1.

The reunion with Nottingham Forest could also be an opportunity for the defender to take advantage of FC Porto’s good form and try to reverse his small negative streak against this opponent: in the three matches he played against the Reds, he was always on the losing side. Nottingham Forest, who have already parted ways with Ange Postecoglou, have not won since August.

Bednarek is consolidating himself as a reference point in FC Porto’s defensive line, showing defensive solidity as well as the ability to contribute offensively. Farioli values his experience, and the Pole continues to give reasons to deserve his trust.

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