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FC Porto vs Maritimo Funchal Report
FC Porto were made to work hard before overcoming Marítimo in an entertaining game at the Estádio do Dragão on Saturday night.
Porto began strongly and never let up. It was a dominant performance from the Portuguese champions, but once again a lack of a cutting edge when it came to putting the ball in the net was noticeable. Wayward finishing and some excellent goalkeeping from Marítimo number one Peçanha - especially an astonishing save from a Kléber header late in the second half - seemed likely to prove costly.
Even though the visitors were reduced to ten men before half time as Roberge picked up two quick yellow cards, as the game entered the final ten minutes it appeared Marítimo would hold out for a point.
FC Porto vs Maritimo Funchal Preview
In the game of the weekend in Portugal FC Porto and Marítimo go head to head in the last round of matches before the Christmas break.
Marítimo have been one of the sensations of the 2010/11 season in Portugal. The Madeira team are lying 5th in the table and the narrow defeat to Benfica last weekend was only the islanders' second loss all season. However, Marítimo coach Pedro Martins has to cope with a raft of absentees. Right back Rúben Ferreira is out injured, while first-team regulars Roberto Sousa, Rafael Miranda and Olberdam are all suspended for the match.
"Despite our missing men, we will make no excuses," said Martins. "We'll go into the match with the intention of getting a good result, which means attempting to win the three points."
Maritimo Funchal vs Benfica Report
Benfica came away from Funchal with a vital 1-0 victory over high-flying Marítimo on Sunday night.
The Eagles went into the match under intense pressure after FC Porto had won earlier in the weekend.Marítimo are the only team to have beaten Benfica this season, knocking them out of the Portuguese Cup, and the islanders again proved an extremely demanding obstacle for the Lisbon giants.
Oscar Cardozo's glaring miss in the first half seemed likely to prove costly as Benfica struggled to break down Marítimo's well-organised defense, even after the hosts had been reduced to ten men following Olberdam's sending off at the start of the second half.
Maritimo Funchal vs Benfica Preview
The game of the weekend in Portugal takes place on the island of Madeira on Sunday. Marítimo attempt to repeat last weekend's Portuguese Cup triumph over Benfica, this time in the Liga ZON Sagres.
The islanders inflicted Benfica's first defeat of 2011/12 in that Cup game and the hosts will go into the game full of confidence. Marítimo themselves have lost just once all season, way back in August, and are unbeaten in their last 15 matches. Marítimo striker Baba is currently the liga's top goalscorer. The Senegalese marksman has hit 12 goals in all competitions this season. Playing alongside the excellent Sami and Danilo Dias, there is no doubting the attacking potency of Pedro Martins' team.