Portuguese coach Francesco Farioli regretted FCPorto's defeat against Real Betis in La Cartuja, where the red and white team lost 3-2 after having taken the lead. Farioli stated that the result did not reflect the level of his squad and that the team “deserved something more.”
The game was decided in the last minutes. After Betis tied 1-1 and then went ahead 2-1, Porto returned to the lead with a goal from Alberto. However, the visitor failed to consolidate the lead and Betis scored again, leaving Porto without points in their first two Champions League games. Farioli recalled that, after 1‑2, the team had “two or three actions with Alberto” to close the match, describing those opportunities as “very good to score.”
The coach highlighted the quality of the work carried out in much of the match, although he pointed out that the lack of precision in the rival area was a decisive factor. “We were good, finding Alan Varela to create chances, but we rushed in the final third,” he explained. Furthermore, he admitted that for the mistakes made “we pay double” in the European competition, underlining the importance of discipline.
Despite the frustration, Farioli praised Betis, calling them “a fantastic team, with players who can decide a game in important moments.” The Porto coach asked his players not to focus on the negativity and to prepare for the next challenge against PSV. “A lot of things can still happen, but we have to start somewhere,” he added, indicating that the next game will be crucial to regain the team's confidence.
With the defeat, FCPorto remains without points after the first two games of the Champions League, which increases the pressure to achieve a positive result in the match against PSV. The coach has emphasized the need to learn from mistakes and focus on the next phase, in the hope that the team can get back on track for European competition.