DAfter enjoying a day off, FC Porto began, late this Monday morning, the preparation work with a view to the match in the fourth round of the Champions League league phase against Napoli, in a session held at the Jorge Costa Sports Training and Training Center, in Olival, in which Francesco Farioli had reasons to smile… and soon to triple.
This is because, in the form of a statement issued through official platforms, the structure headed by André Villas-Boas made it known that William Gomes and Oskar Pietuszewski have evolved from a “treatment and gym” regime to one of “conditioned training”, which means they are one step closer to being able to return to the blue and white squad.
It is also necessary to take into account that Zaidu Sanusiwho was substituted, last Saturday, at half-time in the 4-0 defeat against Estoril, as a precaution, his name is not included in the clinical report, which means that he is also ready to face the Italians, in a match that has a kick-off scheduled for 8pm (Mainland Portugal time) next Wednesday, at Estádio do Dragão.
Out of the equation, there is Chris Smallingwho, in addition to having limited himself to undergoing “treatment” for an injury to the internal collateral ligament of his right knee (which, apparently, should only receive the ‘green light’ to return to the pitch in 2027), was not registered with UEFA, meaning it could never be taken into account.
The same applies to Vasco Sousawho has not played since December 14, 2025, when he suffered a serious fracture in the fibula of his right leg, during the heavy defeat suffered by Moreirense (the club for which he played, on loan), at the Estádio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, against Benfica, by 0-4.
To compose the working group, the Italian coach once again turned to the training ranks, this time, to ‘promote’ Matthew Midea Portuguese-Brazilian creative, just 18 years old, who renewed his contract almost a month ago, until June 2031, and is now ‘shielded’ by a progressive termination clause, which starts at 25 million euros and increases depending on the achievement of objectives.
FC Porto’s (complicated) accounts in the Champions League
FC Porto, remember, reaches the fourth round of the Champions League league phase without any points, due to consecutive defeats against Manchester City, by 0-2, Real Betis, by 3-2, and PSV, by 0-1, meaning they live in the bottom of the table, along with Lille and Slovan Bratislava.
Napoli, on the other hand, won one game (against Bodo/Glimt, 4-3) and lost the other two (against Arsenal, 0-1, and Villarreal, 3-1), so they have three points and are ranked 22nd, equal with Villarreal, Internazionale, Manchester United, Galatasaray, LASK Linz, Sabah, Feyenoord, Lens, Bodo/Glimt, Leipzig and AEK.
