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Porto boss Vítor Pereira looks to win over doubters
Victory over Marítimo on Saturday evening would put FC Porto on the cusp of winning their 8th championship title in the last ten years. It would also go a long way to dissipating lingering doubts about whether or not coach Vítor Pereira is the right man to lead the Dragons.
When news broke that André Villas-Boas had decided to walk out on FC Porto to take over at Chelsea it was such a bombshell that what happened on the same day did not merit in-depth analysis. Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa wasted no time at all in appointing AVB’s erstwhile assistant, Vítor Pereira, to the top job.
Having been part of the coaching staff that had led an exhilarating attacking team to triple glory in the Portuguese League, Portuguese Cup and Europa League, few questioned the wisdom of promoting from within.
Can league leaders Porto overcome the threat of third-placed Sporting Braga?
Braga could go top on Saturday. They will entertain current leaders Porto at the Estadio Axa. The crowd will certainly be up for this game, as will the players.
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Braga facing huge challenge against Porto’s remarkable defense
With just five matches remaining in the 2011/12 edition of the Portuguese League, it certainly looks like it will come down to the wire for the top three.
After making it to the Europa League final last season, Braga will play yet another decisive match against Porto this weekend. Last weekend, Braga saw a certain draw slip away in extra time as the ‘Guerreiros’ allowed title candidates Benfica to get a last minute victory.
FC Porto v Olhanense: A tale of two coaches
It was a big surprise when former Portugal international Sérgio Conceição was named the new Olhanense coach in January.
A successful, exciting but temperamental player for FC Porto and Lazio, among others, Conceição has lost none of his fire. Over-exuberant touchline activity has landed him in trouble with the Portuguese football authorities, and already earned him lengthy suspensions from the dugout. But he has done a good job at transmitting his infectious enthusiasm into the team. The modest Algarve club are currently comfortably placed in seventh in the table, are unbeaten in six games and come into the match on the back of an impressive draw at home to Benfica last week.
“We’re in good form, so with all respect and humility, we will be going to the Estádio do Dragão to earn points,” said Conceição, as he prepared to take his charges to his former club.
Title holders FC Porto to take Liga Zon/Sagres with win at Paços de Ferreira?
Title contenders Benfica failed to get to the top of the Portuguese Liga Zon/Sagres when they drew 0-0 at home to Olhanense this Friday. Can league leaders FC Porto open a three point gap with only 6 matches to go?
After encountering defeat in the Portuguese League Cup semi-finals against Benfica last Tuesday, FC Porto will definitely try to return to winning ways. It starts with a league match against Paços de Ferreira on Sunday, March 25.Last season, FC Porto achieved near perfection winning four competitions: Portuguese SuperCup, Portuguese Liga, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Europa League.
This season, things are different. The Liga Zon/Sagres has become the only challenge for FC Porto. The Dragons don’t have any other title to look for after Tuesday's cup defeat. This tells they’ll put all their efforts in order to win the Liga and they’re in a good position to do so.
Taça da Liga finalists Benfica to put pressure on Porto with win at Olhanense?
Can Benfica beat Olhanense and regain the top spot in the Portuguese League conditionally, putting pressure on FC Porto?
With a busy schedule in the next few weeks, playing 6 matches in only 20 days, Benfica face another challenge travelling to Olhão in the south of Portugal. Algarve is a lucky region for the Eagles who have encountered happy moments there.Last Tuesday, in the Portuguese League Cup semi-final, Benfica had a sweet taste of revenge after a tough 3-2 win over FC Porto saw them reach the final for the fourth time in a row in five editions of this recent Portuguese competition.
Second-placed Benfica will have only 72 hours to rest from the classic match against the Dragons. They will meet seventh-placed Olhanense on Friday trying not to show any sign of fatigue.
Benfica vs Porto: Eagles or Dragons – who will reach the 2012 Taça da Liga final?
Can we say that the Benfica vs Porto semi-final match in the 2011/12 Taça da Liga is evenly matched? It could be another close affair at the Estadio da Luz on March 20.
Advantage Benfica?
The Eagles of Benfica are grabbing all the attention at the continental level based on their achievements in the UEFA Champions League. They are now among Europe’s best eight teams – a record Porto don’t have this year.
The Dragons waved goodbye to European football long ago this season. Suddenly, they can only appropriate themselves with domestic success while Benfica remain hot on their heels.
Only one point puts FC Porto above the Eagles in the and Tuesday night’s Taça da Liga battle will definitely have an impact on each team’s title aspirations on all fronts.
Compatible: Why transfer target Hulk should choose Barcelona over Real Madrid
Transfer target Hulk could soon wave goodbye to Portuguese football. In his excitement of experiencing new challenges away from Portugal, Hulk must be careful to land at Barca and nowhere else.
Reports in the media claim that Barcelona’s radar is on FC Porto superstar Hulk. We explain why the 25-year-old has more chances of flourishing at Barcelona than at Real Madrid.
Hulk’s quality and the “Ronaldo” factor
Hulk has a good goal ratio. He’s the kind of forward from whom a coach can expect 10 to 20 goals a season. Besides, the Brazilian is also a good assist maker. At Barcelona, Hulk will have more exposure. Depending on how Barcelona may use him, Hulk could support Lionel Messi in the wings or transform into a typical number 9.
Sporting give Europa League favourites & Porto killers Man City room for caution
Europa League contenders from England, Manchester City, will test their strength against yet another team from Portugal. This time, it will be against Sporting Lisbon in the Round of 16.
The Citizens are favourites to reach the final of the 2011/12 UEFA Europa League but they should be mindful of the tournament’s stiff competition. In Sporting Lisbon, City face two possibilities: the prospect of annihilating Portugal’s last Europa League representatives and the prospect of being brought back to planet Earth after their flying 6-1 aggregate demolition of FC Porto in the previous round. Sporting Lisbon are a big threat to Manchester City’s Europa League title aspirations and they certainly don’t lack confidence. Under their new coach, 39-year-old Sa Pinto, the Lions are trying to find stability in the administration room like on the pitch.
Benfica vs FC Porto Report
A thrilling clássico in Lisbon on Friday night went FC Porto's way to give the Dragons a three-point advantage of rivals Benfica as the championship race moves into the home straight.
Perhaps we should have known we were in for something special from the moment Hulk cut in from the right flank and unleased a venemous strike that only changed direction once it had flown into the top corner and hit the back of the Benfica net.Seven minutes were on the clock and the lead rewarded Porto's early dominance.
But Benfica gradually came back and began exerting heavy pressure. Cardozo and Aimar missed good opportunities, before the Paraguayan striker took advantage of a loose ball in the box to hammer in the equaliser for Benfica just before half time.
The vast majority of huge crowd at the Estádio da Luz exploded in delight two minutes after the break as Cardozo headed in Aimar's precise free kick to give Benfica the lead.
Jorge Jesus feels referees deliberately robbed Benfica in 3-2 Porto loss
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus has slammed match officials following his team’s controversial defeat to 3-2 winners FC Porto.
Oscar Cardozo scored for the Eagles late in the first half and early in the second period to cancel out Hulk’s opener but James Rodriguez brought Porto on equal terms in the 64th minute. Benfica’s Emerson saw red in the 77th minute for fouling key man Hulk from behind. Ten minutes later, Maicon finished off a James Rodriguez free-kick with a header from an offside position. With this hard-fought victory, FC Porto moved 3 points clear off their bitter rivals at the displeasure of Jorge Jesus.
“Benfica did not deserve to lose. It was an excellent game, with two great teams, but it was a shame that Benfica lost it, we did nothing to deserve this,” Jesus told the press in the aftermath of the encounter.
Benfica vs FC Porto: March 2 is the Eagles’ time to fly over the Dragons
What will happen at the Estadio da Luz on March 2 could leave a large print in the history of the Classico rivalry. The timing is perfect for the Eagles of Benfica to whip the Dragons of FC Porto.
Lisbon-based Benfica can only look back to the past with regret. It’s been over two decades now since FC Porto have the upper hand over the Eagles. Let’s put O Classico’s numerous scandals aside and see why Friday’s hosts are favourites to dethrone their bitter rivals.
1) The Estadio da Luz Factor
It’s amazing to know that Benfica have won the totality of their home matches this season. The commenced their perfect run with a 3-1 victory over Feirense and followed it up with 2-1 and 4-1 wins to Guimaraes and Academica de Coimbra.
Benfica vs FC Porto Preview
Bitter rivals Benfica and FC Porto go head to head in Lisbon tomorrow in a match that could go a long way to deciding who becomes Portuguese champions in 2011/12.
Two weeks ago Benfica looked to be on course for the title. Unbeaten at the time in the Liga ZON Sagres, the Eagles enjoyed a five-point cushion over their fierce rivals from the north.But a defeat (against Vitoria Guimaraes) and a draw (against Académica), combined with two Porto wins wiped off that advantage, meaning that both sides are dead level on points going into the clash.
Indeed, Porto may feel a psychological advantage, having obtained two victories at the Estádio da Luz last season. Benfica coach Jorge Jesus does not see it that way.
FC Porto vs Feirense Report
FC Porto beat Feirense at the Estádio do Dragão tonight to go joint top of the Liga ZON Sagres table, alongside Benfica on 49 points.
Porto threw everything at the Quim Machado's relegation strugglers all night, but for a long time it seemed a heroic display from Feirense's veteran goalkeeper Paulo Lopes would frustrate the Dragons. Lopes stopped a series of efforts from long and close-range, including a Hulk penalty.
But Feirense defender Luciano was sent off in giving away the spot kick and against ten men Porto finally made their pressure tell.
A Maicon header and a James Rodríguez goal ensured the three points would be going to Vítor Pereira's team, and sets up next Friday's clássico between Benfica and Porto in Lisbon beautifully.
FC Porto vs Feirense Preview
An FC Porto with wounded pride will stride out onto the pitch on Sunday evening and attempt to redeem themselves in front of their fans against Feirense.
The 4-0 defeat against Manchester City in England on Wednesday brought the defense of their Europa League title to an uncomfortably abrupt end. The tie against the Premier League leaders also came with the added cost of injuries to Danilo and Otamendi, although the latter may recover in time to face Feirense.
Perhaps Pereira's biggest task ahead of the match will be to focus the players' minds on the job at hand. Just five days later comes potentially the Portuguese championship decider against Benfica in Lisbon.
Manchester City vs FC Porto Report
Manchester City proved too strong for Europa League holders FC Porto, winning 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium to complete a 6-1 aggregate victory.
Porto came into the match losing 2-1 after a defeat in Portugal last week, and the Portuguese champions had the worst possible start. Kun Aguero raced through to score after just 22 seconds to put the Premier League side in complete control of the tie.
City were happy to concede possession and play on the break, and Aguero was close to doubling the home side's lead but his lob hit the bar.
Porto kept fighting, and Varela and Otamendi both missed good chances to equalise before the break.
Manchester City vs FC Porto Preview
If FC Porto are to make progress to the next round of the Europa League the Portuguese champions will have to do something they have never done before - win on English soil.
A largely disappointing season by Porto’s lofty standards saw the Dragons fail to remain in the Champions League beyond the group stage, and now facing elimination from the Europa League after just one tie in the competition they won last year. The 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City last week has given Vítor Pereira’s side a mountain to climb to stay in Europe. In 15 competitive matches in England Porto have lost 13 and drawn two.
Vitoria Setubal vs FC Porto Report
FC Porto bounced back from their Europa League defeat at Zenit St. Petersburg with a 3-1 triumph at rock bottom Vitória Setúbal on Sunday night.
Porto were always too good for struggling Vitória, who have not a game in the league since October last year. New signing Marc Janko continued his fine form with a powerful 3rd-minute header to make it 3 goals in 3 games since signing for the Portuguese champions.
Midfielder Fernando doubled Porto's lead before half time with a calm finish after being played in by Hulk.
Vitoria Setubal vs FC Porto Preview
FC Porto travel to rock bottom Vitoria Setubal on Sunday knowing that a strong end to the campaign to snatch the Liga ZON Sagres title from leaders Benfica is increasingly looking like the only salvation from a disappointing season.
The 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City in the Europa League on Thursday further fuelled the considerable criticism that has been thrown the way of coach Vítor Pereira. “We haven’t got the luxury of being able to drop points,” said Pereira. He’s right. Trailing Benfica by five points, and with a rampant Braga waiting for a slip-up to take 2nd place, anything other than a win at struggling Vitória will be a disaster for the Dragons.
UEFA Europa League: Porto v Manchester City & the value of England’s pride
The UEFA Europa League presents a genuine opportunity for Manchester City to boost their spirit as they seek to become England’s most dangerous team.
We’ve all heard of, if not witnessed, Arsenal’s total collapse in the hands of AC Milan. The 4-0 defeat they encountered at the San Siro on Wednesday night was shocking, more so because everyone was expecting living legend Thierry Henry to end his loan spell on a high. What happened is not something that crossed the mind of pundits as a prospect before the game. What is actually going on with English teams in Europe this season?
The Blues of Chelsea are the only representatives from England left in the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United shocked the world when they suffered the biggest upset of all: demotion to the Europa League as Benfica and Basel secured tickets for the Last 16 of the Champions League.
Gil Vicente vs FC Porto Report
FC Porto's long unbeaten run stretching back almost two years came to an end in Barcelos on Sunday night as Gil Vicente beat the champions 3-1.
A pallid Porto were unrecognisable for most of the match, while that takes nothing away from an excellent all-round display from the hosts. Claudio's early header flicked over Porto goalkeeper Helton to give the Gil the lead set the alarm bells ringing for the Dragons, and on the stroke of half time a penalty given away by Otamendi gave Claudio the chance to score his second goal.
The centre-back did not waste the opportunity and Paulo Alves' side went into the interval with a comfortable lead.