Porto, leading the Primeira Liga with 6 points, face Arouca, also with 6 points, at Estádio do Dragão on Sunday. The Porto coach, Francesco Farioli, warned of Arouca's good form and asked for a team far from 'autopilot' on Sunday.
What did Farioli say?
Farioli revealed that Arouca was one of the teams that most impressed him when he arrived in Portuguese football. 'I was impressed with the mentality, with what they wanted to do with and without the ball. What they did, especially in the second half of last season, was really notable', he considered.
Preparation for the challenge
With the Champions League approaching and a calendar that will increase the competitive load, Farioli stated that the preparation of the last two months aimed to raise the limits of the players, especially thinking about the internal demands. 'We prepared to raise our level, not just for the Champions League, but mainly to raise our level in the championship', he emphasized, considering the group's response to the work done 'really positive'.
What's next?
Porto, second in the league with 6 points, face Arouca, first with 6 points, on Sunday at 20:30 at Estádio do Dragão, with referee João Pinheiro from the Associação de Futebol de Braga. The Porto team has a recent record of 4W-0D-1L, with 66 goals scored and 18 conceded, and lead the Primeira Liga by 6 points.
Market and reinforcements
The Porto squad may still undergo changes until the market closes, with the coach admitting that the club wants to reinforce itself, although without specifying how many signings may arrive. 'We would like to make some incoming moves, but I don't know if it will be one, two or more than two. The last days may be 'hot'', he anticipated.
