FC Porto have entered a bright new era under Francesco Farioli
FC Porto have not won the Portuguese title since the 2021/22 season. Since a run of seven domestic crowns in just eight seasons between 2005/06 and 2012/13, the club have claimed just three titles in 12 years.
Simply put, that record is nowhere near good enough for a club the size of Porto. Could things be changing this season, however? As Italian manager Francesco Farioli appears to have ushered in a bright new era at the Estádio do Dragão.
Francesco Farioli is enjoying a redemption arc
Farioli arrived in Porto with a big reputation, having managed clubs such as Nice and Ajax during the embryonic stages of his managerial career.
He might not have even made the move to Portugal if things went smoother towards the end of last season. After a campaign rejuvenating Ajax, the club went into the final five games holding a nine-point advantage at the top of the table.
What followed was one of the biggest collapses in modern football. Ajax went on to win just one of their final five games to finish second, beaten by PSV Eindhoven by a single point.
In the end, he left the club after a single season.
“It’s difficult. It’s not what I want, but I think it’s necessary for the club,” said Farioli. “The emotion and tears of the last 24 hours say it all.”
“It was difficult to change everything at once, so I thought it was better to change one thing. And that was me.”
Ajax’s loss is Porto’s gain, that’s for sure. After 11 league matches this season, the club have won ten and drawn one, leading the table by three points.
The 36-year-old tends to utilise an attacking 4-3-3 system, although he has switched things up and gone with a 4-2-3-1 in victories over Sporting and Braga, and also Red Star in the Europa League.
There is no doubt he is getting the best out of this group of players. With a wonderful defensive record, a vibrant midfield and attackers who are contributing goals and assists aplenty, Porto could be on the cusp of something special this season.
A stubborn defence could be key to Porto’s title ambitions
Last season, Porto conceded 30 goals in the top flight, recording the third-best defensive record in the process. Although that was only good enough to finish 11 points down on champions Sporting.
Farioli has certainly built on that impressive showing and at the time of writing, the club have conceded a paltry three goals across 11 matches, working out as just 0.3 goals conceded per game.
Furthermore, they have recorded eight clean sheets, which ranks as the best record in the league, something that has been built on a solid defensive partnership at the heart of the backline.
Jakub Kiwior and Jan Bednarek are shining in Portugal this season, developing a rapport which has gone a long way to Porto having the best defence in the league.
The duo have featured together in the previous seven league games for Porto, conceding just two goals in that time.
Goalkeeper Diogo Costa has played a big part also. He ranks third in the Liga Portugal for save percentage (83.3%), and obviously, no other ‘keeper has conceded as few goals.
Farioli earned plaudits last season as his Ajax side led the way in the Eredivisie from a defensive point of view. So far this term, he looks to be repeating that success with Porto. The great Sir Alex Ferguson once said “Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles” yet Farioli could have the best of both worlds this season as he is able to count on a wonderful array of forwards who could each individually, or collectively fire Porto to a 31st league title.
Samu Aghehowa can excel this season
So far this campaign, there have been 14 different scorers in all competitions for Porto, but centre-forward Samu Aghehowa leads the way with nine goals in just 15 matches played since the Club World Cup.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a stellar debut year in Portugal last season, netting 25 goals for Porto and it looks as though the Spaniard is getting better and better.
He currently ranks in the top 6% for shots on target (18) in the Liga Portugal this season, along with ranking in the top 1% for aerial duels (60%) and in the top 14% for touches in the opposition penalty area (41), demonstrating that he offers more than just a clinical nature in front of goal.
Wide support comes from summer signing Borja Sainz (five goals and two assists) and Pepe (two goals and three assists) with William Gomes also chipping in when required.
Despite the proficiency of the aforementioned quartet, one name is standing out among the rest – Rodrigo Mora.
The attacking midfielder has scored three goals for Porto this season, including one in the Europa League against Red Star.
Still only 18, the teenager is being touted as one of the most exciting youngsters in Europe (and is someone we profiled earlier in the year – here) . Under Farioli, he is gaining valuable game time and should he keep up this form, you can expect to see him turn out for Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.
Porto face Nice in the Europa League on Thursday evening as they bid to bolster their chances of a place in the knockout stages.
The Dragões find themselves with a great chance of ending a four-year domestic title drought under the Italian. If so, his redemption arc would be complete and it could be the catalyst for another dynasty at the Portuguese heavyweights.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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