Francesco Farioli: the philosopher’s stone for FC Porto | OneFootball

(Photo: www.fcporto.pt)

When André Villas-Boas was voted new Porto president in April 2024, it signified a new era for the club after Pinto da Costa’s historical 42-year reign. His first year, as admitted by AVB himself, was a disaster from the sporting point of view, with the first two coaches appointed by the new president, Vítor Bruno and Martín Anselmi overseeing a forgettable campaign.

No-one can accuse Villas-Boas of not being decisive, the president sacking both managers when results went south. Italian coach Francesco Farioli is the new man in the dugout at the Estádio do Dragão. Will it be third time lucky?

PortuGOAL’s Porto correspondent José Ricardo Leite gives his opinion.

Farioli’s background

After the poor performances of the Dragões in the FIFA Club World Cup, it was obvious that Martín Anselmi, even without a market, was not a good fit.

Even though I liked his ideas, a bold up-and-coming manager might not have been the best solution for an FC Porto in full rebuild mode.

The answer is the Italian Francesco Farioli, former manager of Ajax.

He graduated in Philosophy, but it was inside football that he started to question everything. He started his managerial career in Turkish football and then moved on to Nice, in France.

I am confident that everyone remembers the “Farioli-ball” played in France, with a team that promised nothing and delivered everything with a strong 4-3-3 formation.

He then moved to Amsterdam, where Ajax were struggling. Bringing the same philosophy (no pun intended) that he used at Nice and Turkey, Farioli was meant to be the savior of the Dutch team.

In 2023/24, Ajax had finished 5th in the League and the European campaign was horrendous: they fell in the round of 16 of the Conference League. In that season, they were even fighting to steer clear of the relegation group at one point.

The 2024/25 season was whole lot different thanks to Farioli. Ajax fought eye to eye with a squad that would embarrass Cruyff against the top teams in the Netherlands: PSV and Feyenoord.

However, with this Porto team, it will not be the same. Sure, it is still a new team with an awful previous season. Nevertheless, Porto fans are not settling for less than perfection.

Porto have to be champions this year. Porto need to get back to the Champions League and they have to resuscitate the Dragon in themselves. Farioli is the man to do it, but he has to take into account a huge amount of pressure.

The tactics

As mentioned above, Francesco uses a 4-3-3 formation that offensively can become a 4-2-4 with a false 9/number 10.

With the names that he has currently (as of 21st July), I can assure you that this is the starting 11 for most of the games:

Borja Sainz; Samu; someone, please

Even though it seems like a super offensive team, Farioli places a lot of emphasis on a strong defence: it is the pillar of his philosophy (pun intended). He prioritises objectiveness and controlling the game in midfield, which is why he plays with three of them. However, central variations are in place, especially on the counter attack.

I have no doubt about one thing. Samu is going to score many goals because he will be focused on that (with Anselmi he was mostly a “helper”). And Alan Varela can finally play his best football, focusing on controlling the midfield and no longer having too many creative functions.

Porto president André Villas-Boas promised both the manager and the fans the “best market ever” in terms of investment. Gabri Veiga, Borja Sainz and Prpic were the names announced and Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Borges and Otávio have already left the club.

The lack of a right-winger is something to be worried about, but the fact that Mora and Veiga step the same space on the pitch is also worrying. One of them needs to be forced back to a central midfield position, which is not ideal for both of them. There is always the option of playing with Vasco Sousa in the centre of midfield, Gabri Veiga as a number 10 and put Borja and Mora on the wings, but that will harm the capacity of one of them to do damage to the opposition.

The first test of the new FC Porto will be against Twente (ironically a Dutch side) just 12 days short of their debut in the new season against Vitória SC.

As for predictions, “I only know that I know nothing”.