FC Porto Prepares for Sintrense Clash Amid Squad Challenges
FC Porto is gearing up for an important fixture against Sintrense in the fourth round of the Taça de Portugal, scheduled for 22 November at 20:15 in the iconic Estádio do Dragão. The team returned to training this past Saturday at the Olival training complex, following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Famalicão in the 11th round of the Primeira Liga, a match decided by a decisive goal from Victor Froholdt.
Coach Francesco Farioli has been faced with several challenges ahead of this cup clash. Key defenders Jan Bednarek, Nehuén Pérez, and Borja Sainz remain sidelined while undergoing treatment for injuries, with Bednarek specifically dealing with a ligament strain in his left knee. Luuk de Jong continues to train under a restricted program, leaving his availability for the Sintrense match uncertain.
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On top of these injury concerns, international call-ups have further depleted the squad. Twelve players are currently away representing their countries, including Diogo Costa with Portugal, Jakub Kiwior with Poland, Samu Aghehowa with Spain, Victor Froholdt with Denmark, and several others across various age-group national teams. This has forced Farioli to rely on younger talents to fill the gaps, a strategy already evident with the inclusion of 16-year-old goalkeeper Antoni Nikolov, who has been promoted from the under-19 team. Alongside Nikolov, four players from the B team – Felipe Silva, João Teixeira, Kauê Rodrigues, and Leonardo Vonic – have been called up for training sessions, adding fresh energy and potential to the senior squad.
Despite the challenges, preparation has continued at a steady pace. Training sessions are being held behind closed doors to maintain focus, and Farioli is determined to ensure the squad is fully ready for the cup tie. The upcoming match against Sintrense, a team that has already caused upsets in the competition by defeating higher-division clubs, promises to be a test of depth and resilience for FC Porto.
Following the Taça de Portugal fixture, a demanding schedule awaits the team, with matches against Nice, Estoril, Vitória SC, Tondela, Malmo, Estrela da Amadora, Alverca, and AVS lined up in quick succession. Managing player fitness and squad rotation will be critical, especially given the combination of injuries and international absences.
Overall, while the squad faces several challenges, the integration of promising young players alongside experienced professionals reflects Farioli’s approach to maintaining competitiveness and continuity. The upcoming week will be pivotal in setting the tone for both the cup and league campaigns, and all eyes will be on the Dragão as FC Porto aims to navigate this tricky period successfully.
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