Porto face a demanding Champions League night in Seville on Wednesday, with Francesco Farioli warning his side that Betis arrive at La Cartuja in outstanding form for the second matchday of the league phase.
The Portuguese club travelled to Spain on Tuesday, although their preparation on the stadium pitch was limited to a brief walk-through after training earlier in the day in Portugal. Farioli expects a direct and ambitious contest against a Betis side he believes are operating at a very high level in La Liga.
“We expect a team that, like us, will try to play openly and will want to win,” the Italian said. “Betis are in a very good spell and performing at an extremely high level in La Liga.”
Farioli highlights Betis depth
The Porto coach singled out Manuel Pellegrini’s long spell in charge as a major strength for the Spanish side. The Chilean is now in his seventh season with Betis, giving the squad a familiarity and continuity that Farioli feels is evident on the pitch.
He described the hosts as a team with quality throughout the squad, dangerous individual players and considerable pace. Isco, in particular, was identified as a player capable of changing the rhythm of a match through his creativity and ability to create overloads in possession.
But Farioli stressed that Porto cannot focus only on the former Spain international. Betis, he said, also possess three or four elite wide players, strong in one-on-one situations and clinical when opportunities arrive.
“It will demand a great deal from us, and we will give everything,” Farioli said, adding that every Champions League fixture carries its own intensity.
Pitch concern and selection decisions
Farioli also raised concerns over the expected condition of the La Cartuja surface, saying it may not be in its best state for Wednesday’s game. He acknowledged that such factors can affect players physically and mentally, but pointed to Porto’s pre-season work and ongoing conditioning programme as preparation for competing through a crowded schedule.
The Porto manager had yet to settle his starting line-up on Tuesday, with several players still requiring assessment before a final decision on Wednesday morning.
Jan Bednarek will be absent, a loss Farioli called significant both for performance and leadership. Porto have, however, welcomed back Nehuén, who has completed a full week with the group and is considered fully fit.
Farioli insisted the team must find answers regardless of who starts. Porto will have around 3,500 travelling supporters at La Cartuja, and he said the squad are determined to reward them with a strong display and a night to remember.
