FC Porto opened its Portuguese league season with a 2-0 win over Alverca, with Poland defenders Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior starting from kickoff.
Bednarek had been hurt in Porto's Super Cup match against second-division side Torreense, an injury he blamed on poorly prepared turf in Coimbra.
Coach's fitness claim contradicted
Before the opener, coach Francesco Farioli said Bednarek was fully fit. Bednarek later told Eleven Sports, in remarks also picked up by Portuguese media, that this was not the case. He said he had a problem with his lateral ligaments, though the structure itself was not damaged, and that he had taken painkillers before the match, calling playing for FC Porto hard work, according to O Jogo.
Bednarek criticizes Torreense pitch
Bednarek said the Torreense pitch had been tragic, far worse in person the day before the match than it looked on television, adding that the grass had been repainted on the morning of the match to soften its appearance on TV. He said such conditions hurt efforts to promote the Portuguese league in Europe, made quick one-touch passing difficult, and were dangerous, though fortunately nothing serious happened.
Press praises both defenders
Newspaper A Bola rated Bednarek and Kiwior 6 out of 10 each for the Alverca match. It said Bednarek commanded the defense well after returning from injury, crediting a key interception in the 36th minute that stopped a dangerous run by Vivaldo Semedo. Kiwior was praised for making many important clearances and consistently reading his opponents' moves.
Oskar Pietuszewski missed the match with a muscle injury and is reportedly not expected back until early September.
