FC Porto secured a place in the Portuguese Cup final on Wednesday night, with a triumph over Vitória SC (3-1), in a game that saw a 'joker' who had been absent from Sérgio Conceição's choices appear to help the Dragons reach Jamor. We are, of course, talking about Romário Baró.

Once a player in whom Sérgio Conceição had great confidence, the 23-year-old had to take a 'thorny' path to find his space again in the Porto coach's choices. After two consecutive loans, to Estoril-Praia and Casa Pia, the midfielder returned to Dragão last summer, certainly hoping to be a regular option. However, that was not the scenario he faced.

A player 'rehabilitated' in FC Porto's main squad by Sérgio Conceição, this season, Romário Baró saw his performances criticised by the fans. However, he must have made some of those dissenting voices 'shut up', with his performance against Vitória SC.

At a time when FC Porto had a shaky advantage over the team from Guimarães, Sérgio Conceição looked at the bench and called the 23-year-old. Coming on in the 68th minute, the midfielder took less than 10 minutes to make a difference. After an excellent pass from the Portuguese player, Pepê gave the final 'blow' to the score.

Taking advantage of someone else's 'punishment'

The assist for Pepê brought a smile back to Romário Baró's lips, who knew how to make the best of the absence of the quartet 'punished' by Sérgio Conceição. Without André Franco, Toni Martínez and Iván Jaime - Jorge Sánchez is a defender - to refresh the attacking front, the Porto coach was forced to bet on the young player trained at FC Porto.

A tremendous confidence boost for the young player, who took advantage of the minutes at Dragão to be decisive. In addition to the assist for the goal, Romário Baró had eight actions with the ball and created two clear chances. Data that Sérgio Conceição certainly took note of for the matches remaining until the end of the season.

And, in the chapter of assists, it should be noted that the 23-year-old had not contributed to a goal for over a year. The last time this had happened was during the visit of Casa Pia, where he was on loan from FC Porto, to Paços de Ferreira. In a situation somewhat similar to what happened against Vitória SC at Dragão, Baró came off the bench in the 68th minute and assisted Clayton Silva for the goal that would help the 'geese' win.

Between Conceição's praise and the debut that is missing

As far as practical numbers are concerned, Romário Baró has played 12 games for FC Porto this season, but he is still well on his way to reaching the maximum he has had with the blue and white jersey. In 2019/20, the youth international played 18 games, a number that he can repeat this season given that there are six games left until the end of the blue and white season.

Despite being in his third season as a senior, the truth is that Romário Baró has never scored for the Porto first team. He has played 46 games and has only two assists for the young player who is considered one of the most promising players at Porto.

And, speaking of the last assist from the number 28, the one that helped to decide the game against Vitória SC, Sérgio Conceição praised the young player. But also a kind of 'message' for Baró to show his full potential.

"You don't see our day-to-day life. Romário Baró was today what he is as a player. The pass definition for Pepê, and in other positive actions he had in the game. Whenever I was here, I wanted to start the season with Romário, because I believe in what his potential is. Then, it is up to the players, if they are given the opportunity, to take advantage of it or not," said the coach, at a press conference after the game with the team from Minho.

FC Porto's next game is on Sunday against Casa Pia, for the 30th round of the I Liga. It remains to be seen whether Romário Baró will pack his bags to go to Rio Maior or stay in Invicta waiting for a new opportunity.

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