Farioli: ‘A privilege and honour to share a touchline with Italian giant Allegri’
FC Porto coach Francesco Farioli insists it is ‘a privilege and source of pride to share the touchline’ with Max Allegri, as the Napoli boss is ‘one of the giants of Italian football.’
It kicks off at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
There are some big question marks over how the Partenopei are playing this evening, because they are decimated by nine injuries, plus the fact Luca Marianucci is ineligible for the Champions League.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Mathias Olivera, Stanislav Lobotka, Leonardo Spinazzola, Alisson Santos, Benoit Badiashile, Costantino Favasuli, David Neres and Alessandro Buongiorno are sidelined.
Kevin De Bruyne would seem to be in a more advanced role supporting lone centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund, with Antonio Vergara and Matteo Politano as wing-backs.
Farioli eager to face Allegri
“With the number of injuries for both teams, there will certainly be some changes to adapt to the situation,” Farioli told Amazon Prime Video Italia.
“Seeing the players there, I think Napoli will play with three at the back, but the way they approach the wings and attack is what will make a big difference.
“If they play with two strikers or one centre-forward, that changes things. We prepared for every possible scenario, but an experienced coach like Allegri could well come up with something we haven’t predicted, so we’ve got to be ready to react.”
FC Porto are top of their domestic league with a 100 per cent record, yet have lost all three Champions League games this season against Manchester City, Real Betis and PSV Eindhoven.
“We are a young team, so we certainly lack experience,” added Farioli.
“If we could the number of Champions League appearances on the field today, there is a gap with Napoli. Our performances haven’t been bad, but we lacked the ability to read the moments of the games.
“What happens in both penalty areas is decisive, and we lacked something there, so we want to do better this evening and be more concentrated.”
Farioli is Italian, but has never been a coach in Italian football, making his career in Turkiye, the Netherlands and Portugal.
“I have a big responsibility representing an important club like FC Porto. More than a battle with an Italian team, my focus is on representing Porto in the Champions League.
“Allegri is one of the giants of Italian football, so it’s a privilege and a source of pride to share the touchline with a coach of this level.”
