Seville is the next stop for Porto, who head south to face Real Betis at La Cartuja on Wednesday in the second round of the Champions League league phase. Francesco Farioli travels with a 24-man group, boosted by three recoveries but still facing an awkward shortage in central defence.
The news from the club
Nehuén Pérez, Zaidu Sanusi and goalkeeper João Costa have returned to full training after recent physical issues and are available for the European trip. Their recovery gives Porto useful depth ahead of a demanding night in Andalusia.
There is less encouraging news on William Gomes. The Brazilian winger sustained a grade-two sprain in his right ankle during the match against Marítimo and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks. Having featured in every possible minute before the injury, he will miss the visit to Betis.
Jan Bednarek is also unavailable as he serves the second match of a suspension carried over from last season’s Europa League. Chris Smalling, Dominik Prpić and Gabriel Mec have not been registered for the Champions League, while João Afonso has not travelled. Vasco Sousa remains troubled by a fitness problem.
The absences leave Farioli with limited established options at centre-back. Pérez has only just returned, Bednarek is suspended, and both Smalling and Prpić are outside the European squad. Jakub Kiwior and Dominican international Pablo Rosario are among the players who could be considered for a role in the middle of the back line.
Two B-team players have joined the travelling party: defender Luís Gomes and midfielder João Teixeira. Their inclusion completes Porto’s 24-player selection for Seville.
Porto squad for the trip to Seville
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Cláudio Ramos, João Costa.
- Defenders: Alberto Costa, Martim Fernandes, Francisco Moura, Zaidu Sanusi, Souza, Luís Gomes, Jakub Kiwior, Nehuén Pérez.
- Midfielders: Alan Varela, Pablo Rosario, Hwang In-Beom, Gabri Veiga, Victor Froholdt, Seko Fofana, João Teixeira.
- Forwards: Borja Sainz, Pepê, Oskar Pietuszewski, Santiago Giménez, André Silva, Samu.
Porto arrive in the city with a healthier group than Farioli might have expected a few days ago, but the choice at the heart of his defence will remain central to his planning for the meeting with Betis.
