Artur: “I see a very different Porto, the signings have been spot on” | OneFootball

"It's a way to see the level they're at. The team was spectacular in the first three rounds, but can confirm in this classic if the real FC Porto is back. It will be a great test, because they will play at the home of the two-time champion, against a very well-coached team with great athletes," highlighted to the Lusa agency Artur, the former Brazilian forward, 55 years old, who played for the 'blues and whites' between 1996 and 1999.

Sporting and FC Porto, along with Moreirense, lead the I League with nine points and meet this Saturday, at 20:30, at the José Alvalade Stadium, in Lisbon, in the fourth round - the first derby between the big teams in the competition.

"Despite Sporting having lost their top scorer [Viktor Gyökeres], it is a dangerous team and has maintained its backbone. I foresee a great game, which can be decided in the details or on a set piece, something that FC Porto has taken good advantage of," evaluated the winner of three championships, one Portugal Cup and two Super Cups with the 'dragons'.

Artur highlighted the impact of the coaching change - with the Italian Francesco Farioli succeeding the Argentine Martín Anselmi - and the start of 2025/26, in which the team racked up three wins in three games.

"It will give a huge mental strength and confidence," considered the former forward, who sees the resurgence of the club after a season in which "it was far below its tradition".

Of the total investment of 105.6 million euros up to the close of the transfer market, Artur highlighted the signing of the Danish midfielder Victor Froholdt, 19 years old, who cost 20 ME when he arrived from Copenhagen and quickly assumed a place in the team, with two assists in three matches.

"He fit like a glove and dictates the pace of the game. It's been a while since I've seen a player with such quality at FC Porto," he said, highlighting the quick assimilation of ideas and the intensity of training with Farioli.

Surprised by the start of the season - victories over Vitória de Guimarães (3-0), Casa (4-0) and Gil Vicente (2-0) -, Artur also praises the 'blue and white' president André Villas-Boas for the "right move" in choosing the coach, responsible for integrating the reinforcements well and for returning ambition to a club distant from the title since 2021/22.

"It's logical that there may be difficulties and one or other setback, but you can already see a more confident team and confidence is everything. When the team enters determined, it's hard to beat. The FC Porto of my time was like that. Congratulations to the new management. The coach arrived and it seems like he's been there a long time. He adapted very quickly and the results are seen on the field: the team fights for every ball and plays more like FC Porto. We didn't see this last season, as it was a FC Porto without confidence, strength and shine."

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.