Four games, four wins, and the lead of the League. FC Porto maintained the winning streak in the Portuguese League by defeating Académico (0-3), this Saturday in Viseu, and Francesco Farioli praised the way the Dragons were “very clinical” in capitalizing on “the first chances” they created. In summary, “it was a good result, three more important points and another clean sheet”, but the team must maintain the spirit shown in 2025/26: “This spirit helped us last season, and in these first four matchdays we’ve seen that same spirit, which we have to maintain and even improve upon to raise our level,” added the Italian coach.

A look at the 90 minutes
“Today, especially in the first half, we were very clinical and we capitalized on the first chances we created. Then, it’s never ideal to have to make substitutions in the first half and at halftime due to injuries, and that affected the rest of the game. In the second half, we managed the game and only let up in the final five minutes, during which we conceded a few shots. In the second half we weren’t as brilliant, but it was a good result, three more important points and another clean sheet.”

Académico’s approach
“There was definitely a difference in their approach, they changed a few things. We set up a press that we only managed to execute once early in the game, but the players always knew where to find superiority and advantages. After the second goal, they went back to what they usually do, with a high press. The game was well prepared by Bruno Pinheiro, who tried to catch us off guard, but the players showed the quality to find good solutions.”

The injuries to Jan Bednarek and Zaidu
“We’ll have to assess both of them, it’s hard to make predictions. Zaidu’s injury looks serious, Bednarek may have sprained his knee. We’ll have to see. Unfortunately, these things are part of football. Jan is a center back and is always very exposed to contact. There’s nothing special we can do other than try to protect him, as we did today. We have alternatives, and when those alternatives come in, they have to prove they’re at the right level.”

Martim Fernandes on the left side of defense
“Martim Fernandes played in that position many times last season, and that’s why the decision was made.”

Francisco Moura feeling under the weather
“Yesterday, Francisco couldn’t train because he had a fever and other symptoms. After the warm-up, he had to stop. It was a substitution very early in the game, and we didn’t want to use a player who was under the weather.”

Another game without conceding a goal
“There are no secrets, it’s everyone’s hard work. What André Silva, William Gomes, and Pepê do when applying early pressure is incredible. When a team puts this kind of effort on the field and has this mindset and this desire, it’s something that makes me proud. This spirit helped us last season, and in these first four matchdays we’ve seen that same spirit, one we need to maintain and even improve upon to raise our level. It’s part of our DNA, but we also have one of the best goalkeepers in the world who’s there to make great saves when needed. Everything works in our favor.”

There was no foul on the play leading to the first goal
“The footage is very clear, there’s no point in arguing about these things.”

The Champions League is almost here
“We’re entering the last week before the international break we’ll have. Then the international competitions begin, and we’ll be back in the rhythm of three games a week. Staying fresh will be very important, but, for now, we’re closing out the transfer window. It’s been a long summer and this is a much-discussed topic, but we have to keep working hard, keep the team united, and keep everyone at this pace and intensity, because we want to keep doing things right.”

The final days of the transfer window
“The final days are going to be crazy, that’s normal, but it’s not just us, it’s everyone. We have to stay very focused on the players we have, and then we’ll see what happens. We know what we need, it’s very clear, but we have to see what we can do and what will happen. My focus is on the field and on the players we have. If players come in to make us better, they’ll be welcome.”