André Silva, call from Farioli and Villas-Boas: “15 mins, I was sweating” | 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 is still very deeply rooted. The grit people work with, the resilience they show and display every day, all the staff. Some have been known since my time here, but most are new faces. But you can see that the values remain and that they are expressed inside our home and in our club.”

Who was on the video call with you? “With president André Villas-Boas and 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 expectation felt a bit far off for 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 plays, the way he sees the work. The president was also showing the reason why we were making that call. I think they already knew my side, but I also took the chance to convey what I wanted. After that, it was a matter of contract and numbers, which was resolved quickly.”

What opinion have you formed of the coach? After he presented his ideas to you, what has the work on the pitch been like? The demands are maximum, 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 in 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 coached by Farioli? “I think the strongest point that immediately comes to mind is the consistency throughout the season, trying to give the maximum they could as a club, as quality players. I think it was always that consistency and never dropping off, because they were always ready for the challenges and to fight.”

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

Beyond those principles, what have been the main ideas passed on in the dressing room to prepare for the new season? “What happened has already happened, it’s gone, we’ve already enjoyed it, we’ve already 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 are the team to beat. We have the club’s honor 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.