DAfter beating Gil Vicente last Saturday, maintaining an immaculate record in the championship, FC Porto now focuses its efforts on hosting Académico de Viseu, in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. The competition is far from being a priority for the Dragons, who last season fell precisely at this stage, so it is expected that Francesco Farioli will make some changes to the team, resting the elements that are most physically overloaded and giving minutes to the less used players.
At the gateway to the eleven are two players who are still waiting for their debut in official games: Chris Smalling and Gabriel Mec.
The English defender was signed during the international break in September and is seen as a fallback solution to cover a possible injury to mainstays Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior. The calendar is tighter than ever and Farioli should not waste the opportunity to rest one of the Poles, with Argentine Nehuén Pérez also included in these accounts. In any case, Smalling should be entitled to the first minutes in official matches for FC Porto.
Gabriel Mec is also looking for an opportunity, even though he is in a very different situation compared to the Englishman. Mec arrived on the market in January, coming from Brazil, so the transition to European football always involves a period of adaptation and some patience.
However, Mec has already been used in the UEFA Youth League, for FC Porto’s under-19 team, leaving good indications, despite only playing in the first 45 minutes against PSV last Tuesday. The ex-Grêmio has arguments to be a disruptor and open up paths in times of greatest pressure, deserving the praise of João Brandão.
“His presence in this game represents what FC Porto’s project is. Having played 45 minutes has to do with managing the load in tune with the A team, because physically he is perfect. We have many players who play for the under-19s and this is a challenge presented to the B team, especially in the Youth League. I highlight the spirit and commitment with which he came and the way the team welcomed him. It is not easy to get here, play 45 minutes straight away and do well, this can only be achieved in an organized and principled team. There is a perfect and very organized symbiosis between the under-19s, team B and team A”, explained the coach of team B, who also leads the under-19 team in the Youth League.
Now, taking into account Brandão’s words, Mec’s opportunity in the first team is right around the corner and the duel with Académico de Viseu represents a good opportunity for Farioli to test his qualities, also taking into account that Oskar Pietuszewski risks a new stop due to injury.
More changes in sight
Farioli could, in fact, promote a revolution in the eleven that will line up next Wednesday. In goal, Cláudio Ramos could replace Diogo Costa, but the news should spread to the rest of the sectors. Santiago Giménez, João Souza, Martim Fernandes or Seko Fofana are other names in the Italian coach’s accounts.
