Porto warm up for Rangers test by extending impressive winning run as boss praises 'spine-chilling' speech

Played just 72 hours before their game with Danny Rohl’s side at Estadio do Dragao, the Portuguese giants dismantled fifth-placed Gil Vicente on Monday night, as goals from Samu Aghehowa (37 pen), Martim Fernandes (75), and William Gomes (86) sealed a comfortable win against the visitors, who had Martín Fernández sent off on 69 minutes.

Having won 18 of their opening 19 league games, Porto are yet to taste defeat in the Portuguese top tier, conceding just four league goals all season. Currently ninth in the Europa League table, Francesco Farioli’s side will be aiming to take their incredible domestic form into this week’s battle with Rangers as they aim to secure a top-eight spot and automatic qualification to the knockout round of the competition.

“It was an important victory against a team that is having a great season,” said Farioli after the game. “They [Gil Vicente] are very organized, and we needed 25 minutes to get into the game. The weather didn't help—the wind was tricky, it rained a lot—and we took time to get into the rhythm, but even so we created some chances before the first goal. It was an important result. In the end, we managed a great result in a game where we had to suffer at times.

“We knew the level of Gil Vicente; they are doing a fantastic job, they are very organized and put us to the test in the first 20 to 25 minutes. After the [opening] goal, we calmed down and got a great result, and now we will have a few days to prepare for the game against Rangers."

The Italian head coach has had a dream start to life in the Portuguese top flight, having succeeded Martin Anselmi in the summer, but believes it is the players’ attitude and work-rate that is helping them to produce such strong performances, and revealed why a pre-game speech from Canadian midfielder Stephen Eustaquio helped drive the team on to victory.

“I asked Stephen before the game to speak to the team before the game, and his speech gave me goosebumps. It was spine-chilling. The message was very powerful. He talked about his evolution as a player, where he started, how long it took, and how many sacrifices he had to make to get where he is. In that message, he wanted to give a lot of energy to our young players, who are already on such an important stage so early.

“I think he found the right words to touch Samu [Aghehowa], to give him the right confidence. This group is led by leaders from within, a group of friends, a group of people who like to spend time together. A very professional group, very committed to the club, who know how to make people feel comfortable when they arrive. As I've said before, I'm very grateful for the luck I have in coaching these human beings.”

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