Farioli reveals plans for Mec... and gift from AVB: “Crucial week”

O FC Porto stamped, this Wednesday, the clearance for the final half of the League Cup, when receiving and beating the Academic of Viseu, for 1-0, following a great penalty converted by Santiago Giménez, on the edge of the whistle for the interval, in a game where Francesco Farioli took advantage to give minutes to the most used players of the squad.

One of them was Gabriel Mec, a creative of only 18 years old, who was acquired, in the past summer transfer market, to Grêmio, for a sum of EUR 11 million (plus EUR 1 million in bonuses), which had not yet had the opportunity to debut, but whose exhibition ended up convincing the Italian coach.

“He is a versatile player, capable of performing various functions. So far, he has worked with us mostly as extreme, both on the left and sometimes on the right, that is, open on the line, even if he has the natural tendency to flirt to the central corridor, and can also play inside as he did today ", started by affirming.

“ When acting in the middle, positional requirements differ from those you are used to, you need to find the right time to receive between lines and calibrate combinations and the connection with the companions. It had very interesting details, two or three good dribbles and a dangerous shot that almost scored, caught by a great intervention of the goalkeeper ", continued.

“ He left a positive image, with excellent attitude and group spirit. I am very pleased for his official debut and the income presented”, he added, before the journalists.

The explanation for the new FC Porto tactical system

The coach of the national champions in title also took the opportunity to explain why he chose to bet on a tactical system based on a line of three defenses: “In the last game in Barcelos, in front of Gil Vicente, Oskar’s injury [Pietuszewski] led me to reflect. We were a little short in the wings, with William [Gomes] recovering, Pepê accumulating many minutes and departures of great demand, and Borja [Sainz] in an identical situation.”.

“I tried to protect them to the fullest. At the same time, this design allowed players to be placed in their ideal positions. The Mec playing more from the inside, the [Dominik] Prpic as a fallen center for the wing, a role that rests on perfection in its characteristics, and the same in relation to the Nehuén [Pérez]. It was a logical decision, as soon as we learned about the availability of Prpic ", pointed out.

“It’s a structure I’ve used in the past, namely in Turkey, where we played for six or seven months. I was pretty confident that the team would be able to assimilate the new idea in a few days. In fact, they were very well and the game was pleasant, although, of course, the margin of progression remains great,” he added.

“ Before the conference, André Villas-Boas offered me a little souvenir, but...”

In conclusion, Francesco Farioli devalued the fact that he won the 50th victory in FC Porto's technical command: “Before the conference, the president [André Villas-Boas] offered me a small memory, but in reality more than my 50 victories are 50 victories of this group.”.

“ It is a squad for which I have demonstrated many times the affection and respect that I have, not only as football players, but especially for the human value of each. It's a beautiful brand, because winning always helps consolidate processes and brings us closer to winning trophies. However, it is a fulfilled goal that remains behind. We look straight ahead, aware that we have a crucial week ahead, starting with the game this weekend, at home, in front of Estoril ", concluded.