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FC Porto manager Francesco Farioli has left forward Samu and left-back Zaidu out of his matchday squad for the Taça da Liga quarterfinal against Académico de Viseu, according to A Bola.
The decision to omit both players stems from a calculated effort to manage their workloads following recent injury layoffs, with the technical staff opting to preserve the pair rather than rush them back into competitive action. While the club's official squad list was not publicly released prior to the fixture, Farioli confirmed during his pre-match press conference that 18-year-old creative midfielder Mateus Mide will travel with the first team as the sole representative from the B squad, stepping in to provide wide attacking options made thin by ongoing absences.
Squad Rotations and Defensive Adjustments at Estádio do Dragão
The visit of Académico de Viseu to the Estádio do Dragão marks the opening fixture of the 20th edition of the Taça da Liga for the national champions. Farioli indicated that the knockout tie will provide an opportunity to evaluate squad depth and distribute minutes following demanding matches against PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League and Gil Vicente in Liga Portugal. Goalkeeper Cláudio Ramos is expected to start in place of Diogo Costa, while former Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is positioned to make his official debut for the club, as reported by TVI.
Defensive reinforcements also include the inclusion of center-back Prpic and left-back Souza. The Brazilian defender, who made his maiden appearance as a substitute during the 21-minute spell against PSV, stands to gain substantial playing time as Farioli reshuffles his lineup from the side that secured a narrow 1–0 victory in Barcelos. Midfield options such as Alan Varela, Seko Fofana, and Hwang In-beom are likewise expected to feature prominently in the starting formation.
Injuries Sideline Several Players as Mide Steps Up
The absentees extend beyond Samu and Zaidu, with Vasco Sousa, William Gomes, and Oskar Pietuszewski sidelined due to physical complaints. Addressing the fitness status of Pietuszewski, Farioli noted in comments reported by RTP that the player’s muscle injury is not overly severe but demands caution during rehabilitation. Similarly, Brazilian winger William Gomes remains limited to individual work on the pitch as he manages ongoing discomfort, leaving the coaching staff without a definitive timeline for his return.
To compensate for the shortage of wide personnel, Mateus Mide steps up from the youth ranks. The teenager arrives with pedigree as an under-17 European and world champion with Portugal, establishing himself as a standout performer for the club’s second team. Up front, young Brazilian forward Gabriel Mec has drawn praise from the manager and could see significant involvement.
Académico De Viseu Visits Porto After Victory
Académico de Viseu arrives in Porto following a notable victory against Sporting CP at Alvalade, holding the sixth position in the top flight after securing promotion as Segunda Liga runners-up in the 2025–26 campaign. Under the guidance of Bruno Pinheiro, the visitors present a stern test despite potential rotation due to a condensed match schedule.
The encounter at the Estádio do Dragão kicks off at 20h30 local time (UTC+1) on Wednesday, with television coverage provided by Sport TV1. Match officials appointed by the Portuguese Football Federation include referee Sérgio Guelho from the Guarda Football Association, assisted by André Pontes and José Mira, with Manuel Oliveira operating the video assistant referee system.
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