FC Porto’s Attack Recharged as De Jong and Sainz Return for Taça de Portugal Tie

Even before supporters file into the Dragão for this weekend’s Taça de Portugal tie, the talk in cafés from Chaves to Faro has already turned to two surnames: De Jong and Sainz. One remains in the hands of the medical staff, the other is suddenly back at full throttle—together they shift the mood around a season that has wobbled more than fans expected.

Recoveries reach decisive phase

The Dutch striker’s return is still stamped with the caution-label “integrated but restricted”. Staff note that his left-knee ligament has reacted well since the 8 September scare, yet the club refuses to rush a forward who arrived in August on a one-year deal precisely to add muscle and aerial presence to the front line. By contrast, the Spanish winger’s ankle soreness is now filed under “resolved”, a small victory considering it flared twice—first in Europa League action, then again at Famalicão. Tuesday’s full session brought from the medical room the phrase every player craves: “fit for selection.”

What it means for Farioli’s set-up

Coach Francesco Farioli built his early-season blueprint around pace on the flanks and quick combinations between the lines. Without Sainz those patterns dulled, and without De Jong the late-cross fins were left without a target. The imminent Cup outing against Sintrense now offers a low-risk stage to test the rebuilt jigsaw: Jesús Corona can tuck inside, Galeno may switch wings, while a fully unleashed Sainz stretches the touchline. De Jong, meanwhile, is pencilled for a cameo—ten or fifteen minutes that could tell whether December’s league trips to Guimarães and Alvalade become realistic goals.

Timetable and medical caution

Inside the Olival complex the phrase “individualisation of load” is heard in almost every corridor. De Jong completes tactical drills, then peels away for strength exercises aimed at rebuilding power lost during two months of relative inactivity. His programme anticipates full clearance only after he meets two thresholds: a jump-test that compares take-off force between legs, and a video-analysis of planting mechanics. Sainz has already ticked those boxes; what remains is the traditional 24-hour swelling check after his first explosive session. Passing that barrier converted Wednesday’s nod from conservative to affirmative.

Numbers behind their value

Statistics rarely tell a complete story, but they explain why the dressing room awaited this week’s news like children wait for São Nicolau. De Jong departed Eindhoven with 108 Eredivisie goals, yet in blue-and-white he owns an uncomfortable ledger of 12 appearances, zero finishes. Staff insist xG models still fancy him as a double-digit contributor if the knee holds. Sainz, signed for €14.25 million after tearing up England’s second tier, carries a healthier domestic record—3 league goals in 11 matches and a per-90 involvement rate that tops every Porto winger except Galeno. Those metrics fuel the argument that the attack has underperformed mainly because its new pillars have not stood side by side.

Next fixture and broader context

Saturday’s Cup assignment arrives at a time when the club needs calm after a fortnight of governance turmoil and whispers about January exits. Porto laboured to a draw in the Algarve last weekend, briefly slipping outside the Champions League places. A professional dispatch of Sintrense would rebuild rhythm ahead of a pivotal Europa League visit to Berlin. The return of Sainz supplies unpredictability; even a five-minute cameo from De Jong could lift terrace spirits, reminding supporters that winter reinforcements might already be in the building.

A note on squad depth

Portugal’s national team break exposed how thin Porto’s bench had become: six academy teenagers warmed up against Estoril while senior colleagues queued in the infirmary. Farioli privately stressed the need for “two players per role”—a mantra undermined by the injuries to his summer marquee signings. Now, with Sainz certified and De Jong edging closer, the coach can consider rotating Mehdi Taremi or pushing Iván Jaime central without fearing an empty bench. In a title race expected to stretch to May, the difference between champions and nearly-men is often measured not by star talent but by the number of trusted names available on a rainy Wednesday in Vizela.