Porto coach hails late Jorge Costa as inspiration for title triumph
Porto coach Francesco Farioli felt the spirit of late defender Jorge Costa was with his side as they won the Portuguese championship for the 31st time. After a 1-0 home win against FC Alverca on Saturday, the club from northern Portugal can no longer be caught by their big rivals Benfica with two matches remaining in the season. Former captain Costa, who helped the club lift the Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2004, died aged 53 just before the start of the season after a cardiac arrest at the club's training ground.
He was Porto's director of football. “It’s a real roller-coaster of emotions. Now I need to try and relax a bit, as I was completely focused on the game right up until the final minute," Farioli told reporters.
"Jorge (Costa) made some crucial interventions in defence. I’m so happy for everyone – for this squad, for everyone who works at the club, for the president, for Jorge Costa, and for all the people who deserve a night like this after so many years without this title. ” Polish defender Jan Bednarek scored the winner against Alverca in the 40th minute as Porto won their first championship since 2022.
Mourihno's Benfica only drew 2-2 at Famalicao and are nine points behind. With 38 league titles, the capital club remain the record champions. But in terms of the total number of trophies won by a Portuguese side, Porto have now drawn level again on 87, sports daily A Bola calculated.