Froholdt scores again, now just 3 goals off his career best | OneFootball

The only goal that gave FC Porto the victory over Rio Ave in the most recent round of the Liga Betclic was scored by a player who had been seeking to return to the opponent's net. Victor Froholdt scored again and, equally important, reappeared where he can make a difference: inside the opponent's area.

The 19-year-old Danish midfielder hadn't scored since December, in the Portuguese Cup against Famalicão. Along the way, he maintained his usual intensity and physical availability but lost presence in the decisive zone. Against the Vila do Conde team, this changed: he appeared in central areas, occupied the space with precision, and was rewarded with the winning goal. He could have even extended the lead, hitting the post after a sudden entry into the area.

The numbers support this change. The three shots inside the area against Rio Ave are his highest in this edition of the League, surpassing the two he recorded against Gil Vicente, AVS SAD, and Arouca. He also matched his best record of passes into the opponent's area (3, as against Benfica at the Dragão) and set the maximum number of touches in the area (5), at the same level as he did against AVS SAD and Arouca.

The heat maps from that game show a much more marked presence in the central corridor, unlike what had been happening when he appeared stuck to the right, almost as a winger, seeking width but moving away from the finishing zone. Against Rio Ave, he played more inside, closer to the forward and the goal.

The change may be related to the injury of Samu, which removes the main offensive reference of the Porto team from rotation until the end of the season. Without the forward, FC Porto seems to demand more arrivals from the midfielders to the area, and Froholdt responded effectively.

Endowed with an unparalleled physical capacity – Farioli has already stated that he "runs for three or four players" – the Danish international combines stamina with precision. After some matches where he left early or started on the bench, as in Rio Maior against Casa Pia, he regained competitive momentum. If he maintains this trajectory of approaching the area, FC Porto will gain more than a committed midfielder: they will have another element capable of making decisive plays.

Last season, while playing for Copenhagen, Victor Froholdt achieved the best numbers of his still short career: six goals and three assists. In terms of assists, he has already surpassed that mark in 2025/26, totaling four. As for goals, he also has four and is three away from breaking his personal best.

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