Numbers don’t lie: Porto v Benfica derby set to break new ground | OneFootball

In the lead-up to a much-anticipated Portuguese football Classic, which will pit Benfica against Porto, the match itself, as old as the history of the two clubs, will feature an unprecedented debut. It will be the first time José Mourinho and Francesco Farioli face each other, each with a very different career path.

In football jargon, it's said that a Classic is always 50/50, but there are numbers that show things aren't quite like that. According to the presented statistics, the dragons have a more favorable record than the eagles, and to date, Farioli, at just 36 years old, already shows some experience in big duels.

Counting the duels he has led with Ajax and Porto, the Italian has not lost any match against direct rivals. At the helm of the Amsterdam team, the Italian defeated PSV and Feyenoord twice each, both at home and away. In Portugal, Farioli made his Classic debut with a victory in Alvalade against Sporting (2-1).

José Mourinho, with a great track record in Portuguese and international football, has a positive record in Classics. In the six occasions he faced direct rivals, the Special One achieved four victories, conceded a draw, and lost only once - in the overtime of the 2003/04 Portuguese Cup final - where he curiously ended up winning the championship and the Champions League.

Two coaches who promise a great show, in a match that, by itself, is synonymous with football and many emotions. Remember that the match is scheduled for the night of Sunday, October 5th, at 21:15, at Estádio do Dragão. Both teams are already preparing for the duel, each with their respective concerns. In the case of Benfica, the eagles are dealing with a virus.

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