FC Porto go into 11 league rounds with 11 wins, and the bench has been a major reason why. They have scored eight goals through substitutes, with six different players getting on the scoresheet after coming on.
A Bola described Porto as "the team with the most productivity in the championship with players who do not enter the starting eleven." That is not just a neat line. Borja Sainz has three of those eight substitute goals, while Martim Fernandes came off the bench at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques against Guimaraes and scored to secure the victory.
The bench goals behind the start
The spread matters as much as the total. In-Beom Hwang scored off the bench against Benfica to seal the victory, André Silva scored after coming on against Estoril, and Fernandes added another late winner in Porto's run.
Porto's league numbers make the pattern hard to dismiss. They have 33 points from 11 matches, 27 goals scored and only five conceded. That gives the substitutes room to decide games, but the finishers still have to deliver when the match is tight.
Borja Sainz has also been productive beyond the bench role, with six goals and one assist in 11 Primeira Liga appearances this season. F. Farioli has been able to use that depth without leaning on one player alone, because six different substitute scorers is a broad spread for a side still perfect in the league.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
