It's been a while since I've seen a player with Froholdt's quality | OneFootball

FC Porto will face a demanding test of its recovery when it visits Sporting on Saturday in the I Liga, according to former Brazilian footballer Artur, who is convinced that the dragons have returned to a level compatible with their history. "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," said the former forward, 55, who represented the blues and whites between 1996 and 1999.

Sporting, the two-time national champion, and FC Porto, both with nine points and accompanied by Moreirense at the top, meet on Saturday at 8:30 pm at the José Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, for the fourth round, in a duel that will mark the first clash between the big teams this season. "Despite Sporting having lost its top scorer [Viktor Gyokeres], it is a dangerous team and has kept 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 advantage of well," evaluated Artur, winner of three championships, one Portuguese Cup and two Super Cups with the club.

Convinced that a victory in Alvalade "will give a huge mental strength and confidence," Artur congratulates the rebirth of FC Porto, which, in his view, "was far below its tradition" last season. The team hired Italian coach Francesco Farioli to succeed Argentine Martín Anselmi and started 2025/26 with three wins in three games. "Last season, FC Porto fans suffered a lot with the team, which stumbled or won with great difficulty. Now, the team imposes itself and I think that is largely due to the technical command. I see a very different FC Porto, stronger collectively and with confidence on top. The signings were very accurate, both of the technical team and the athletes," analyzed the former player, author of 20 goals and 17 assists in 92 matches for the 'dragons'.

Artur highlighted the impact of Danish midfielder Victor Froholdt, 19, the most expensive signing from Copenhagen for 20 million, who settled into the eleven and has already accumulated two goal involvements in three matches. "He fit like a glove and dictates the pace of the game. It's been a while since I saw a player with so much quality at FC Porto," he commented, praising the quick assimilation of tactical ideas and the intensity of training under Farioli.

Surprised by the start of the season, with victories over Vitória de Guimarães (3-0), Casa (4-0) and Gil Vicente (2-0), Artur also praised President André Villas-Boas for the correct decision in changing the coach, which has been crucial to integrate the reinforcements in the base built last season and to revitalize a club away from the title since 2021/22. "It's logical that there may be difficulty and one or another setback, but you 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 this. Congratulations to the new management. The coach arrived and it seems like he's been there for 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," he concluded.

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