Farioli tells Porto to start from zero after friendly win over Aston Villa

Friendly win

FC Porto beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Estádio do Dragão on 25 July in their presentation match ahead of the new season. Farioli described the test as a useful run-out against a strong opponent and was pleased with how his team approached the game.

It was a good test against a very strong team. We had a very good start and it is good to see some players stretching to 90 minutes, returning to our normal rhythm.

He added that playing in front of the home crowd created a big atmosphere and provides the right boost for the campaign, which opens with the Supertaça next week.

Right-back puzzle

Pablo Rosario started at right-back because Alberto Costa was not risked despite being fit, and Martim Fernandes is still returning. Farioli declined to confirm who will play there against Torreense, saying the situation will be assessed over the next five or six days.

Alberto is fit but we did not want to take the risk. Martim could also be back. We have to see how things evolve over the next few days.

He stressed that the squad is not just 11 players but 25, plus any who may arrive from the market, and that minutes have been shared evenly across the pre-season.

Transfer window

Farioli pointed to four weeks of the transfer window remaining and acknowledged that while club and coach are aligned on needs, the market cannot be fully controlled. Some targets are difficult to land immediately, and later opportunities may emerge.

We are still with many weeks of market ahead, we have to do some things, we are all on the same page about what we need. We do not completely control the market.

He said his immediate focus is on the current group of players and that he is confident the club will do what is necessary to be competitive.

Starting from zero

Farioli brushed aside talk that Porto are favourites for the title. He repeated that what was achieved last season belongs in the museum and that the Supertaça is the final link to the previous campaign, after which everything resets.

What was done in the past is part of history, of the museum. It does not give us extra credit. We will start from scratch. I want a team with the hunger and desire of an underdog.

He insisted the approach is game by game, season by season, with the squad expected to raise its level in an increasingly competitive league.