FC Porto host SL Benfica at the Dragão this Sunday in a clássico that pits the top two teams in the Primeira Liga against each other. Sérgio Conceição's side, sitting alone at the summit with 18 points from six games, are looking for their first home league win against their rivals in two and a half years, dating back to a 5-0 triumph.
Porto midfielder Pablo Rosario stated that «playing at the Dragão gives us extra strength» and that the clássico «will be a different game, without the need for special preparation». The comment highlights confidence in the home advantage, a factor the club wants to leverage to extend their two-point lead over Benfica, their closest challenger. The last meeting between the two sides, in March, ended in a 2-2 draw at the Estádio da Luz.
Preparation for the match has been closely monitored by president André Villas-Boas, while on the Benfica side there is a doubt in the starting lineup. The goalkeeper position is open after Trubin's return from Milan, casting uncertainty over Samuel Soares's starting spot. For Porto, the goal will once again be guarded by Diogo Costa.
The context for the Dragons is one of strength, with a perfect record of six wins from six league games, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two. The team is in form, averaging 2.5 goals per game, and their last result was a 4-1 away win at Casa Pia. Their last outing was a 4-1 away win at Casa Pia, with goals from André Silva, Jakub Kiwior, Borja Sainz and Santiago Giménez. Sainz is, in fact, the team's top scorer this season with three goals.
Beyond the clássico, Portuguese football had other highlights. Torreense, a Segunda Liga club, celebrated a historic victory in their European debut, beating Lillestrom 2-1 in Norway in the Europa League. Alfaro, scorer of the club's first European goal, admitted he did not yet have «full awareness of the achievement».
On the international front, Jorge Jesus announced his first squad as Portugal's head coach. At Sporting, Geny Catamo is in negotiations to renew his contract until 2031, while the club is evaluating the management of Maxi Araújo, Zalazar and Suárez due to international commitments. The Uruguayan striker was attempting to maintain a run of five consecutive scoring games.
Benfica, for their part, secured the future of Prestianni, with the youngster renewing his contract until 2031 and moving out of the squad's lower salary brackets. Benfica president Rui Costa has already expressed confidence for the match at the Dragão. Off the pitch, referee Luís Godinho was the target of public criticism from Neto, who received a ten-day suspension for those statements.
FC Porto therefore enter the clássico with morale at a season-high, aware that a victory at the Dragão would solidify their lead at the top of the standings and break an unfavourable cycle in home head-to-head matches. Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday, 20 September.
More detail at dnoticias.pt
