The president of the club went to the front of the problems by addressing very angry supporters on Sunday evening, in front of Dragao, after the elimination of FC Porto in the Portuguese Cup.
“I promise to give my life for FC Porto.” The will of President André Villas-Boas was put to the test of facts this weekend. The president of the club, who promised a mandate breaking with the era of his predecessor, left the Dragao in the pouring rain in the company of Jorge Costa, his football director, on Sunday evening.
The two men were filmed leaving the enclosure under good escort to face the deluge with a hasty step, meeting an agitated crowd. Courageous, André Villas-Boas addressed several dozen angry supporters.
A pitiful elimination
FC Porto plunged into crisis this Sunday with an elimination in the round of 16 of the Portuguese Cup, in which it was the defending champion, synonymous with a third consecutive defeat in all competitions.
FC Porto has not experienced such a negative spiral since November 20, 2008, 16 years ago. That is to say he had lost the habit. FC Porto's last defeat in the competition dates back to March 3, 2021. Banners had already flourished during the meeting, castigating the attitude of the players, unworthy of the club in the eyes of the supporters.
Very controversial, the Porto coach, Vitor Bruno, took the trouble to address the problems by going to meet the supporters himself, in vain. His approach did not calm the situation. A hostile reception awaited the FC Porto bus on its return to Dragao. On site, dozens of ultras expressed their discontent in a very virulent manner.
The supporters in question adopted intimidating behavior after surrounding the vehicle under the helpless eyes of the police. Middle fingers were given to the players, a rocket was even launched at the bus, fortunately without causing any damage. “Porto is ours and will remain so,” proclaimed these ultras. It was in this stormy atmosphere that Villas-Boas went to speak to them, without us being able to understand the content of their exchange.
Second in the Portuguese championship standings, six points behind Sporting, FC Porto travels to Anderlecht this week in the Europa League. A competition which was no more successful for Vitor Bruno's men. They lost twice in four days. The players all met at the training center this Monday morning to prepare for the next meeting.
