From Farioli to Pietuszewski: the title of the dragons has a special dedication.
Seven figures, plus one. But there could have been many more.
FC Porto’s 31st league title owes much to Francesco Farioli, but credit is also due to the structure, headed by André Villas-Boas, and, of course, to a strong group of players.
Captain Diogo Costa deserves special mention, but it was above all the successful signings that made this FC Porto team full of identity, in contrast to the previous season. Froholdt, Bednarek, Kiwior… But also Seko Fofana, Pietuszewski, who only arrived in the winter, and many were key pieces in building a well-oiled machine, accelerating to the top of the league in the fourth round and never losing control again.
The title belongs to all of them, but it is especially dedicated to Jorge Costa. It was with the “Eternal Captain” as director of football that this team began to take shape.
Jorge Costa passed away in August, but he left behind at Dragão and Olival the seeds of a winning team, with unwavering determination and a conquering spirit.
This title is yours, “Bicho”.
Congratulations.
Francesco Farioli: the philosopher banished ghosts
Italian, with a degree in philosophy, the young coach carried with him the ghost of the title lost at Ajax in the final rounds of the previous season. This unfortunate outcome was brought back to him again and again with each slight stumble by FC Porto in the league. The truth is that in Olival he built a team full of personality, a wall in terms of defensive solidity, which led the league alone from the 4th round. Through the clarity of ideas with which he assembled a team in his image, the meticulousness with which he studies each opponent, and the ease of communication, Farioli made FC Porto rise to a new level and conquer their 31st league title. And thus, the Dutch ghost was banished.
Villas-Boas: a time of successes
He doesn’t play, he doesn’t coach anymore, but he deserves much of the credit for winning his first championship as president of FC Porto. For his choice of Farioli as manager, for the successful signings in both transfer windows – particularly the winter one, where he signed key players while spending less than his rivals = and for the professionalism he brought to the club’s structure in a short time, after a poor first season. After winning the championship in 2010/11, a perfect season with the double and the Europa League title, Villas-Boas shows his true colors and, in his second year as president, leads FC Porto to their 31st league title.
Diogo Costa: the wall that underpins the title.
Having a world-class goalkeeper is very useful when building the foundations of a national champion. Diogo Costa is the undisputed number one goalkeeper for FC Porto and the National Team, and he has proven throughout the season how decisive he can be in crucial moments. The captain is, naturally, one of the team’s key players, having played the most games and accumulated the most minutes on the pitch this season. At 26 years old, he has won his third consecutive championship in his seventh season with the first team, where he is the longest=serving player.
Bednarek: captain without an armband
The signing of a very experienced center=back without titles initially caused some doubt. The truth is that Jan Bednarek arrived at the Dragão stadium to establish himself as a leader in FC Porto’s defense, even considering that alongside him is his compatriot Jakub Kiwior, more technically refined, forming the Polish wall, in addition to the established Thiago Silva as a luxury option. Bednarek is one of the key players responsible for FC Porto’s defensive solidity and quickly became one of the team’s leaders. A kind of captain without the armband. A trusted man of Farioli, as evidenced by his being the outfield player with the most minutes played this season.
Froholdt: the Danish all-terrain vehicle
He arrived at 19 years old with the weight of a €20 million investment on his shoulders, but the truth is he was worth every penny. The first Dane in FC Porto’s history arrived to make history and everything changed in the Dragons’ game. Box-to-box, all-rounder, whatever you want to call him, Victor Froholdt is a midfielder with lung capacity and a range of action well above average. It’s no coincidence that he’s the player with the most games this season (48) and has an enviable record of goal involvements: eight goals and seven assists. Probably the player of the season.
Seko Fofana: a true winter reinforcement.
A near-perfect winter transfer window = proof $1. The Ivorian international has become a kind of joker for Farioli. The man of decisive goals, who came off the bench to score at crucial moments against Sporting, Sp. Braga and Famalicão. He wasn’t one of those who played the most minutes, but he had a decisive impact in several games. On loan from Rennes, without an option clause, the 30-year-old midfielder has many fans yearning for his permanent signing.
Oskar Pietuszewski: a prodigy discovered in Poland
A near=perfect winter transfer window proof $2. How can a 17-year-old from the modest Jagiellonia Bialystok have such an impact and adapt so quickly? In truth, everything becomes easier if there’s a certain degree of predestination. FC Porto fans quickly learned Pietusewski’s name. Despite his youth, the Polish winger secured a place in the first team and was the main game=changer in the second half of the season. Decisive in Guimaraes, Braga, Reboleira and… at the Luz stadium, where he showcased his prodigious talent with a spectacular goal.