The squad led by Sérgio Conceição finished the season in second place, a position that grants direct access to the Champions League Group Phase. With a good squad, Porto has a lot of players with top of the class performances in their respective positions. To understand their individual impact to the team, we present the average ratings of the players in a Back 4, the type of defence used for the whole season. In addition, this players must meet the necessary minutes requirement to be considered (minimum 450 minutes played in the season in a type of predefined defense: Back 4 or Back 5).
Porto’s eleven with the most minutes played this season (Primeira Liga).
Star Player:
- Otávio (M&W) – 8.25
With the highest average rating in this squad, Porto’s M&W – Otávio – was one of the main reasons for the results archived this season. Porto’s dynamics require Otávio to function properly because of his enormous consistency in the final third in addition to the relevent presence in intermediate (building) process.
Other Key Players:
- M. Taremi (CF) – 8.13
- D. Costa (GK) – 7.27
- M. Uribe (M) – 7.22
- Pepê (W&FB) – 7.34 and 7.27
With several players having above average seasons, we need emphasise the average rating obtained by Pepê in two positions. Pepê archived a 7.34 average rating playing on the wing and a 7.27 average rating playing right-back.
Additional information regarding the team (Primeira Liga).
With more positive results at home than away (15 Home Wins & 12 Away Wins), it is possible to consider Porto a stronger team at home. Besides that, the incredible positive goal difference highlights the ability to score goals (2,15 goals per game) with a solid defence (0,65 goals per game).
Porto’s eleven and subs with the most minutes played in the Champions League (Minimum 270 minutes played in this competition).
With another presence in the knockout stage of the Champions League, Porto managed to play good football in Europe. Taremi had incredible performances during this competition allowing him to be present in the Team of the Season of the 2022-2023 Champions League. In addition to that, players like M. Grujić, D. Costa and S. Eustáquio were really important for the positive results achieved in this European Competition.
Positions most in need of strengthening:
- FBs
With ratings below the 7 mark, Porto’s Full-Backs (FBs) were the only positions that failed to archive top performing ratings. To win back the Primeira Liga title, Porto needs to strengthen these positions (if they are able to keep this season’s squad).
Meaning of the used abbreviations:
- G – Games
- W – Wins
- D – Draws
- L – Loses
- P – Points
- GS – Goals Scored
- GA – Goals Against
- GD – Goal Diference
- HW – Home Wins
- AW – Away Wins
Data from FBref.