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Late Warm-up Injury Forces Last-Minute Lineup Change
FC Porto winger Oskar Pietuszewski faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a minor left thigh muscle injury during the warm-up ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Gil Vicente at Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, A Bola reported. The 19-year-old has already commenced treatment and will miss Wednesday’s League Cup fixture against Académico de Viseu, though medical staff have not entirely ruled him out for next weekend’s league encounter with Estoril.
Pietuszewski had originally been named by manager Francesco Farioli in the starting eleven for the Saturday evening clash in Barcelos. Spanish forward Borja Sainz stepped into the lineup as a last-minute replacement, joining a team that featured Diogo Costa, André Silva, and Pepê, according to the official club announcement from FC Porto.
Strict Medical Caution Governs Recovery Timeline
Sunday clinical examinations confirmed a minor muscular strain. Because Pietuszewski missed the opening weeks of the current campaign due to two separate injuries to his right leg, Farioli and the club’s medical department intend to proceed with extreme caution. A Bola noted that the player will only return to competitive action once medical staff hold total certainty regarding his full recovery, meaning no risks will be taken for the upcoming cup tie.
Porto Lacks Wide Options as William Gomes Recovers
The setback leaves Porto without another wide option, as fellow winger William Gomes continues his rehabilitation from a grade 2 sprain in his right ankle. A Bola confirmed that no fixed return date has been established for the Brazilian forward. Meanwhile, despite the physical concerns surrounding the squad, Pietuszewski opted to skip his scheduled day off on Sunday to join teammates at the club’s media and gallery event.
Farioli Addresses Records and Squad Fitness
Addressing reporters following the weekend fixtures, Farioli played down talk of records despite Porto stringing together nine wins to start the campaign, emphasizing that the team sits only at a quarter of the competitive marathon. Commenting specifically on Pietuszewski’s physical condition, Farioli told reporters: We have to see, it is not the same leg [as his previous injury].
