FC Porto went to Vila do Conde to defeat Rio Ave in the second matchday of the Portuguese League (0-2), “an important result” for Francesco Farioli, who noted “some progress” but emphasized the need to “keep working.” “We knew it wasn’t an easy pitch and that the opponent was very physical and well-organized, but we managed certain situations better and were effective,” acknowledged the Italian coach, before “offering a special mention to Nehuén Pérez,” a player who “went through a very difficult season” but “is back, played a good game, and brought stability.”

Maximum Effort
“We have to keep working. It was an important result, and we saw some progress. We knew it wasn’t an easy away game and that the opponent was very physical and well-organized, but we managed certain situations better. We were effective, and the result was very important.”

Set Pieces
“Last season we also scored two goals in set pieces, and this year we scored another one that way, but I wouldn’t say we won solely because of that. Whenever the opportunity arises, we try to attack in a certain way, and that’s what happened. We scored two goals and had one disallowed. I’d like to give a special shout-out to Nehuén Pérez, because he deserved this goal after a very difficult season. He played a good game and brought stability to our play.”

Nehuén Pérez
“He’s back, and he deserves it. On Thursday, I called him into my office and suggested he play with the B team to get some playing time. A player his age might have taken it the wrong way, but he accepted and immediately said he wanted to play with them to get back into the swing of things. Due to Martim Fernandes’ injury in Friday’s practice and the fact that Alberto Costa is still recovering, I wanted to give him the chance to start. When we do things right, karma finds a way to reward us, and I believe he deserved tonight, this goal, and this performance.”

The substitutions
“The second round of substitutions was forced, because during the first one I checked in with Nehuén and he told me he was fine, but then he had to do two sprints and felt discomfort, so I had to speed up the second substitution and bring André Silva on earlier than planned. Ideally, he would have played fewer minutes, because he only trained with the team yesterday and I wanted to avoid any risk, but I had to do it.”

Deniz Gül
“He has to keep working and believing, and the goals will eventually come.”

The goal scorers
“Both deserved it. Nehuén Pérez for the way he’s worked since suffering his injury and undergoing surgery. He’s a great guy and is always making himself available for the team. As for Borja Sainz, I’m happy because I know he’d been looking for this goal for a long time, and he’s always been a player who’s worked hard for the team. I’m very happy about both goals.”

90-Minute recap
“We came here to play on a very difficult field against a very physical team that has a lot of quality and is very well organized. It’s never easy to win and put on spectacular performances, especially under these conditions. I think we managed the game well and broke the deadlock. We had the chance to seal the win earlier, both with the goal that was disallowed and with a shot that hit the post, but I think we were effective. However, there are always areas for improvement.”

Disappointment at the end of the game?
“I’ve had a fever since this morning. I spoke with some of the assistant coaches just to prepare for the next practice, as usual.”

Rodrigo Mora
“At the end of the game, especially when we win, the players hug each other a lot. That’s just how it is. I’ve seen the comments, and sometimes it’s easy to create a story, but the truth is that no one has asked me whether Rodrigo Mora is my first, second, or third choice. These things don’t help anyone, because when someone close to you goes public to take a stance, they’re actually putting you in the wrong kind of spotlight. Rodrigo Mora has been a topic of discussion since last season, and things settled down after that, but there seems to be a desire to create a narrative around him. I’m here to make decisions, I have to choose 11 starters and others to come off the bench. Having Gabri Veiga and Rodrigo Mora on the same roster is a privilege, but we have to make choices. Last season, they played almost the same amount of time. Of course, people have expectations, but we have to make decisions and the players have to accept them, because I’m paid to manage the team. We finished the season with the entire roster in good shape and happy with our achievement. That’s just how it is. As for the other comments, I’ve already given my opinion and have nothing more to say. At this club, and especially on this team, the group is the priority. Nothing is bigger than FC Porto.”

Transfer Market
“It’s not just about Santiago Giménez, who plays for AC Milan. Every day I read news in the papers filled with speculation and commentary, which isn’t always true. It’s part of the transfer market. Everyone plays a role, from coaches to players, executives, and clubs. Names are always popping up, but not all of them are accurate.”

Kiwior and Nehuén building plays
“Depending on our position on the field, there are moments when the center back has to take the initiative. Early in the second half, we saw Kiwior carrying the ball forward while the other players were being marked by opponents. Their striker was covering Bednarek, and Kiwior had the opportunity to get into the box. This is the kind of initiative and aggressiveness we need. As for Nehuén Pérez, I believe he handled a position he isn’t used to quite well, but for which he has sufficient ability, even without training. I only made this decision yesterday, and he immediately said he was available for whatever was needed. He’s an intelligent, flexible player who adapts easily, just like Pablo Rosario.”