FC Porto head coach Francesco Farioli has identified the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven as an important opportunity for his side to collect their first points of the European campaign.

Porto will welcome Peter Bosz’s team to the Estádio do Dragão on Tuesday, 20 October, with both sides under pressure to improve their position in the league phase. The Portuguese club have lost their opening two matches, while PSV have managed just one point from their first two outings.

Farioli’s team suffered a 3-2 defeat to Real Betis on Wednesday evening after previously losing at home to Manchester City. The latest setback has left Porto without a point in the competition, increasing the importance of their meeting with PSV.

Speaking to Portuguese outlet A Bola after the defeat in Seville, Farioli acknowledged that his side had created opportunities but lacked the quality required to make them count.

“We played the ball well today and managed to get into positions to create chances. But in the final stretch we lacked quality,” the Italian coach said.

With Porto still searching for their first Champions League points, Farioli knows his team cannot afford to let their difficult start continue for much longer.

The expanded league-phase format makes every result important, and the Portuguese side now have an opportunity to respond in front of their own supporters against PSV.

“In the new format it is always important to book a win quickly. That has not happened yet. We have to start somewhere. PSV has to be one of the matches in which we take points,” Farioli explained, as quoted by PSV Inside.

His comments underline the significance Porto attach to the upcoming fixture. After losing to Manchester City and Real Betis, the Portuguese side will be eager to turn their performances into points when they return to the Estádio do Dragão.

However, PSV will arrive with similar concerns of their own.

Bosz’s side have collected only one point from their opening two Champions League matches. A 1-1 draw at home against Shakhtar Donetsk was followed by a 1-0 defeat away to RB Leipzig, leaving PSV needing a response to remain competitive in the race for a top-24 finish.

The Eindhoven club also face a demanding schedule later in the league phase, with matches against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid among the difficult challenges ahead.

Before travelling to Portugal, PSV must first face ADO Den Haag away in domestic competition on Saturday. Bosz will then turn his attention to a European encounter that could have a significant impact on the club’s campaign.

For Porto, the objective is straightforward: secure a first Champions League victory and build momentum. PSV, meanwhile, will be looking to collect their first win after a frustrating start.

With neither side having made the start they wanted, Tuesday’s meeting at the Estádio do Dragão offers both clubs an opportunity to change the direction of their European campaigns.