FC Porto go into Saturday evening’s match at home to Rio Ave in an unusual position for them - not at the top of the league looking downwards.
After over five hundred days sitting atop the Liga ZON Sagres, the draw at Sporting last weekend allowed Benfica to pull two points clear of the Dragons at the summit. Not that coach Vítor Pereira is hitting the panic button just yet.
“Of course we are not happy to be in this position, but it doesn’t change the way we go about our work. The players have given a good response in training this week,” said Pereira.
“It’s only two points, it’s true, but I’d obviously prefer to be two points ahead rather than two points behind. This is not a normal position for us and we want to reclaim first place as soon as possible. A team like ours want to always be in first place.”
An example of just how much Porto have dominated in recent times is the fact that should they avoid defeat tomorrow, the Blue and Whites will set a club record of 54 consecutive league matches without experiencing defeat.
But they will have to do it without midfield dynamo João Moutinho, who is suspended, as well as attacking midfielder Djalma, who has linked up with Angola to take part in the African Cup of Nations. And despite resuming full training, Fredy Guarín is still not match fit and has been left out of the squad.
The Dragons are also being frustrated by the failure of Brazilian club Santos to send them the international certificate of Danilo. Until it arrives the right-back cannot make his debut, despite the fact Porto splashed out 13 million euros for his services, making him the second most expensive player in the club’s history, after compatriot Hulk.
Rio Ave are at the wrong end of the table but have enjoyed a positive 2012, holding Sporting and beating Paços de Ferreira to move out of the relegation zone. “Porto have to lose one day - perhaps it will be against us,” said Rio Ave coach Carlos Brito.
Kick-off at 8.30pm local time at the Estádio do Dragão, Porto.
“Of course we are not happy to be in this position, but it doesn’t change the way we go about our work. The players have given a good response in training this week,” said Pereira.
“It’s only two points, it’s true, but I’d obviously prefer to be two points ahead rather than two points behind. This is not a normal position for us and we want to reclaim first place as soon as possible. A team like ours want to always be in first place.”
An example of just how much Porto have dominated in recent times is the fact that should they avoid defeat tomorrow, the Blue and Whites will set a club record of 54 consecutive league matches without experiencing defeat.
But they will have to do it without midfield dynamo João Moutinho, who is suspended, as well as attacking midfielder Djalma, who has linked up with Angola to take part in the African Cup of Nations. And despite resuming full training, Fredy Guarín is still not match fit and has been left out of the squad.
The Dragons are also being frustrated by the failure of Brazilian club Santos to send them the international certificate of Danilo. Until it arrives the right-back cannot make his debut, despite the fact Porto splashed out 13 million euros for his services, making him the second most expensive player in the club’s history, after compatriot Hulk.
Rio Ave are at the wrong end of the table but have enjoyed a positive 2012, holding Sporting and beating Paços de Ferreira to move out of the relegation zone. “Porto have to lose one day - perhaps it will be against us,” said Rio Ave coach Carlos Brito.
Kick-off at 8.30pm local time at the Estádio do Dragão, Porto.
