The return home ended with a 2-1 victory over FC Twente in a pre-season friendly at Estádio do Dragão. After a match in which Porto fought “until the end”, Alan Varela praised “the team’s great effort” and the way it is “assimilating the style of play that the coach wants”. “Last season we weren’t up to the challenge, I was very self-critical myself, so we have to give more”, the Argentinian midfielder stated.

The victory and the team spirit
"I'm happy with the victory and the team spirit. We fought until the end and that was clear. We have to improve little by little, getting to know the coach's ideas and our new teammates better. We are improving step by step, day by day. The team is working well, it is very united, and that is very important. We want to regain the identity that this club has."

One sending off for each side
"These things happen in the game, but they stay there. We had to reorganise everything, it was a very intense game and the pitch became very big with the red cards. That only reinforces the team's great effort." 

Victor Froholdt's company in midfield
“Victor came in with a lot of enthusiasm, he's been working hard from the first minute and doing things well. He has a lot of quality and I hope he can continue to improve to help us and to contribute everything he can to the team.”

Francesco Farioli's early days
“We are assimilating the style of play that the coach wants, and that will be important for the team. Last season we didn't perform well enough, I was very self-critical, so we have to give more.”