Saturday Fulham Stuff - 20/09/25...

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"A great friend I made" – Fulham pair reunite for one of fiercest derbies in world
Former Fulham winger Willian's long-awaited debut for Grêmio looks set to arrive in the most high-profile fashion possible – the Gre-Nal derby, one of the biggest rivalries in the world.

The 37-year-old, without a competitive appearance since May, is expected to feature despite not yet being fully match fit.

But the main take is that his first game could also bring a Fulham reunion to the pitch in Porto Alegre. As we reported earlier, Willian and striker Carlos Vinícius played together for three seasons at Craven Cottage, and now find themselves on the same side again.

Vinícius joined Grêmio in July and played a key role in convincing his former team-mate to sign with the club. Speaking at the club's 122nd anniversary dinner, Willian underlined the strong bond between them: "Vini is a great friend, we were together for three seasons in England. A great friend I made, a great person. I hope that this relationship we have off the pitch, we can take onto the pitch as well and I hope it works out."

For his part, Vinícius expressed his happiness with Willian's arrival and hinted that the pair could already be deployed side by side in the derby. "I believe that already at the weekend we will be working together for Grêmio," the forward said.

Grêmio fans will now wait to see if the Fulham connection can help spark their attack in one of the fiercest rivalries in world football this Sunday.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/a-great-friend-i-made-fulham-pair-reunite-for-one-of-fiercest-derbies-in-world/

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Marco Silva 'does not see many differences' from Brentford under new management
Silva senses the battle with Brentford will bring familiar challenges.

Fulham look for a second straight win in the 2025/26 Premier League season against Brentford in front of their fans on Saturday. Times are changing for the Bees in terms of personnel, but the project has not collapsed, and Marco Silva suggested there are not "many differences" in the blueprint.

    'It's a good start to their season'

Two matchdays after a West London derby against Chelsea, Silva looks forward to hosting the Bees.

"Everybody knows what type of game we expect, Brentford know as well. We love to be involved in these type of games and most of the time we have been doing really well, and we expect to do well."

His men earned comeback victories at home and away against Brentford last season. At Craven Cottage, Harry Wilson got a brace in injury time of the second half, and it could be close again.

"Last season, they were exciting games, very competitive, challenging games, and some late goals gave the feeling from the team that those wins were better than others. But they have been very competitive games, and I don't expect something different here, to be honest."

Keith Andrews has had to deal with the exits of Bryan Mbeumo to Man United and Yoane Wissa to Newcastle United, with next to no time to replace the second striker. On top of that, Christian Norgaard moved on to Arsenal. Yet, the Irishman has achieved continuity from Thomas Frank.

"In terms of structure, I don't see many differences. Of course, Keith Andrews is trying to put his personal things in the team, and it is a good start to their season."

    'The focus is about ourselves'

Last season, Frank started to use a 4-4-2 formation much more frequently. He had settled on a 5-3-2 system for the first three years of survival in the top tier of English football, and it remained a setup he would deploy against 'Big Six' opponents. That flexibility is still in the toolkit of the new manager.

"You can see they can change, like the last few seasons, four at the back for five at the back. It's something that they mix – some games they start with four, other games they start with five."

The organisation, routines, and behaviours of the Bees all reflect principles from the past.

"The preparation from the offensive set-pieces, but other things as well, that capacity to be man-marking, man-on-man every single time. They are very aggressive in these type of moments."

This development does not make prep much harder or easier for Silva, who is focusing on Fulham.

"But that's Brentford. The focus is about ourselves. We know them well, we respect them, but the focus is always on ourselves and what we are capable to do or not."



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/09/20/fulham/1234439-marco-silva-does-not-see-many-differences-from-brentford-undernew-management.html

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Marco Silva salutes Brentford's plan to respond to a disruptive summer
Brentford have shown they are willing and able to compete this campaign.

Fulham have to hold back a resurgent Brentford, hunting their first Premier League points away. The summer was tricky for the Bees, but Marco Silva sees that their planning is paying dividends.

    'We are ready to help him'

Alex Iwobi picked up a knock in the 1-0 triumph over Leeds United last week. However, Silva did not suggest that he, or anyone else for that matter, has become unavailable in the week just gone.

"Some knocks from last week but nothing I can say now that they will not be in contention."

Kevin, a club record signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, debuted at Craven Cottage as a substitute for Iwobi. He left an immediate impact, and the manager made clear he is happy with the winger's work.

"You have to have an impact - he made it straight away. If the fans have this reaction from you, then 10-15% of your job is done. You have the other 85% - 90% to do now. We are ready to help him."

The Cottagers left their work late in the window, virtually keeping the same squad. On the other hand, Brentford lost Thomas Frank, their top two scorers, and their club captain in a matter of months.

Yet, they have remained unbeaten at home under Keith Andrews, sitting in mid-table, and knocked out Aston Villa in the third round of the Carabao Cup. A couple of crafty additions have helped to stabilise the structure, not least Jordan Henderson as a replacement for Christian Norgaard.

"I'm not saying they were prepared for all these changes, but the way they replaced them, I think you can see that they had a plan behind that. The replacement of the midfielder: I'm not saying that they are equal players, but you see similarities there in terms of experience, maturity, the way they play."

Bryan Mbeumo moved on to Man United, and Yoane Wissa won the war of wills with a transfer to Newcastle United. Kevin Schade,, who scored against Chelsea last week, was waiting in the wings.

"And the attacking players, they were preparing that situation in the past as well. Kevin Schade is much more prepared for these type of situations, is doing a very good start of the season."

Igor Thiago, a winter window signing at the start of 2024, has also bounced back from a knee injury.

"When they signed Igor Thiago, 18 months ago, probably was for him to be ready before, but]he had a really unfortunate, unlucky season last season with injures. He's now ready to help the team."



https://www.vavel.com/en/football/2025/09/20/fulham/1234440-marco-silva-salutes-brentfords-plan-to-respond-to-a-disruptive-summer.html

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