Pre-Season Match Preview | Porto vs. City
Cardiff City take on FC Porto at Estádio Algarve on Saturday 22 July, 7pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Porto’s manager is Sérgio Conceição, who was appointed in June 2017, following Nuno Espírito Santo’s move to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Conceição had an impressive playing career, representing Porto over two spells, as well as the likes of Lazio and Inter Milan.
The former winger also made an impression at international level, netting 12 goals in 56 caps for Portugal.
Since moving to coaching in 2010 as an assistant at Standard Liège, Conceição has had spells at the likes of Olhanense, Académica, Braga and Vitória Guimarães.
Since then, he has led the club to three Primeira Liga titles, as well as winning the Taça de Portugal on three occasions and the Taça da Liga once.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | A LOOK AT LAST SEASON
Last season saw Porto finish second in the Primeira Liga, just two points behind title-rivals Benfica.
Despite missing out on the title, Conceição’s side won three pieces of silverware, consisting of the Taça de Portugal, the Taça da Liga and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.
Dragões also impressed in the Champions League, topping their group despite losing the opening two games.
Convincing wins over Bayer Leverkusen and Club Brugge were followed by a fine 2-1 victory over experienced Champions League outfit Atlético Madrid.
In the last 16, Porto were narrowly beaten 1-0 on aggregate by Inter Milan, who went on to compete in the Final against winners Manchester City.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | ONE TO WATCH
Since his arrival at the club in 2020, striker Mehdi Taremi has been a revelation for Porto.
Joining from fellow Portuguese club Rio Ave, the Iranian international has netted 58 league goals in 99 appearances.
The striker also has an impressive record at international level, having recorded 36 goals in 68 caps for Iran.
Last season, Taremi scored 31 goals in all competitions, coming from 51 appearances, an average of 0.61 goals per game.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SUMMER BUSINESS
It hasn’t been a busy summer of transfers for Porto so far this term, with more outgoings than incomings.
The club have allowed the departures of defenders Wilson Manafá and Nanu on free transfers, while winger Fernando Andrade and midfielder Mateus Uribe have also left.
Centre-back Diogo Leite, who came through the youth ranks at Porto, has made his loan to Bundesliga side Union Berlin a permanent move.
As for incomings, Porto have announced the signing of Spanish attacker Fran Navarro, who netted 33 goals in 66 games for his previous club, Gil Vicente.
