Porto edge São João de Ver in training with Mora and Ferreira shining
Porto closed another training session with a win. This time, the Dragons beat São João de Ver 2-1 at Olival, just hours after beating Aston Villa at the Dragão in the official presentation to members.
Rodrigo Mora opened the scoring in the seventh minute, while Eduardo Ferreira sealed the win in the 90th. Rodrigo Valente pulled one back for the visitors at 51, but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat. Francesco Farioli used 19 players across the session, including João Costa, Luís Gomes and Nehuén Pérez.
The Porto medical report also listed Martim Fernandes, Vasco Sousa, João Teixeira, André Miranda, Oskar Pietuszewski and Samu with conditioning or treatment work. Tomorrow the team has a rest day before the final stretch of pre-season.
Porto remain top of the table with 88 points, six clear of Sporting CP, and now turn their attention to the next match against Alverca on 17 January 2027.
What happened in training?
The training match at Olival served as another test for Francesco Farioli’s side. With 19 players on the pitch, the coach looked to evaluate different combinations ahead of the scheduled break.
Mora and Ferreira stood out, with the Uruguayan netting early and the full-back wrapping up the win late. The team showed organisation, but also mistakes that can be ironed out in the coming days.
The mood was positive, with players using the space to work on specific aspects of their preparation.
Why this training session matters for Porto
The win boosts confidence in a group that has already scored 66 goals and conceded just 18 this season. With a +48 goal difference, the Dragons are showing attacking punch and defensive solidity.
Farioli continues to trial line-ups, especially with the returns of players like Eustáquio and Inbeom Hwang. Using 19 players in a single session highlights the squad’s depth and the need to manage minutes ahead of the competitive season kick-off.
Tomorrow’s break will allow recovery, but the work rate stays intense.
Who shone and who still needs more minutes?
Rodrigo Mora showed he’s ready to step up, while Eduardo Ferreira confirmed his importance in defence. Borja Sainz and Mateus Mide also featured but haven’t yet made a decisive impact.
João Costa, Luís Gomes and Nehuén Pérez led the backline, but the side still needs to tighten up ahead of official fixtures. Eustáquio and Inbeom Hwang return in good shape and could prove crucial in the weeks ahead.
Porto remain top of the table with an eight-point cushion over Sporting CP and are gearing up to keep the pressure on at the summit.
