FC Porto head coach Francesco Farioli has made no secret of his admiration for PSV Eindhoven’s Mauro Júnior, highlighting the Brazilian’s versatility after the Portuguese club explored a potential move for the defender last summer.

Porto were among the clubs to make contact over Mauro, who appeared to be facing an uncertain future in Eindhoven despite having a transfer clause. However, the Brazilian ultimately remained at PSV and could now feature against the club that considered bringing him to Portugal.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League meeting at the Estádio do Dragão, Farioli discussed the qualities that make Mauro such a valuable option for Peter Bosz’s side.

“Mauro Júnior is a left-back, but he can also play on the inside as a midfielder. That creates dynamism in a team: it gives you multiple options,” Farioli said, as quoted by Voetbal International.

The Porto manager also singled out Ivan Perisic as another player whose positional flexibility makes PSV difficult to prepare for.

“The same applies to Ivan Perisic, who can play both on the left and on the right. Collectively and individually, they are a challenging opponent,” he added.

Tuesday’s encounter carries significant importance for both sides as they look to improve their positions in the Champions League league phase.

Porto have yet to collect a point from their opening two matches, while PSV have managed just one. The Portuguese side will have the advantage of playing at home, and Farioli is determined to turn that opportunity into a first European victory.

“In the first matches we deserved more, but the victory wasn’t there. Now we have the chance to win, at home. And the chance to climb up the standings,” the Italian said.

Despite Porto’s difficult start, Farioli is confident his players can respond in front of their own supporters. However, he recognises the scale of the challenge posed by a PSV side that has established itself as a dominant force in Dutch football.

The Eindhoven club have won the Eredivisie title in each of the previous three seasons, according to Farioli, while their attacking output has also caught his attention.

“For three years in a row they’ve scored more than a hundred goals in the league. Those figures speak for themselves. They won the title with a twenty-point lead. Their qualities are beyond doubt,” he said.

Farioli added that his familiarity with PSV from his time as Ajax head coach had helped his preparations, with Porto having studied the Dutch side extensively.

The Italian also offered a strong endorsement of Bosz, praising the PSV manager for establishing a recognisable style of football built around intensity, attacking ambition and courage in possession.

“All of Peter Bosz’s teams play recognizable football. They have a clear identity; they play intensely, bravely, and very offensively,” Farioli said, as quoted by PSV Inside.

“It’s very impressive to score so many goals and to do it as well in the Champions League.”

The comments underline the respect Porto have for PSV, despite the Dutch champions’ inconsistent European results so far this season.

Farioli, however, insisted that familiarity with an opponent does not change his team's fundamental objective.

“It’s always good to come up against clubs you know, but there’s no room in our sport for extra emotions. We have to win, so it doesn’t matter who the opponent is. We always want the same thing,” he explained.

For Mauro Júnior, the match presents a chance to demonstrate his value against a club that considered signing him. For Farioli, the immediate priority is different: securing Porto’s first Champions League points while overcoming one of the competition’s most established domestic champions.