FC Porto go into their home match against Nacional in the unusual position (form them) of being under intense pressure.
The team were booed off the pitch after the 1-1 draw at home to APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League on Wednesday. The fans were unhappy with the result but above all the listless performance. For much of 2011/12 the Portuguese champions have been looking a far cry from the team that swept all before them at home and abroad last season.
While the loss of coach André Villas-Boas and prolific striker Falcao have hit Porto hard, Vítor Pereira has not helped himself by constantly chopping and changing the team, especially in midfield.
Fernando, João Moutinho and Fredy Guarín were all virtually undroppable last season. But the signing of Defour, together with Pereira’s early attempt to bring in Souza and the intermittently impressive showings from Fernando Belluschi, rather than constituting strength in depth, appear to have complicated matters for the coach. Up front Walter is likely to return to the starting line-up.
The former Santa Clara manager needs to find a settled formula, and fast.
“When we play a game and we are not at our normal level it is natural we will be subject to criticism. But some of the criticism has second intentions, to destabilize the club. It is not legitimate or genuine,” argued Pereira yesterday.
The coach will be desperate for a convincing win over Nacional to enable him to go on the offensive rather than having to defend himself and his players.
While the Madeira side have themselves fallen far short of expectations this season, there are signs Nacional are turning things round. Three wins in their last four games should have raised morale among Ivo Vieira’s men. It is all set for a fascinating battle at the Estádio do Dragão.
Kick off at 6.15pm local time.
While the loss of coach André Villas-Boas and prolific striker Falcao have hit Porto hard, Vítor Pereira has not helped himself by constantly chopping and changing the team, especially in midfield.
Fernando, João Moutinho and Fredy Guarín were all virtually undroppable last season. But the signing of Defour, together with Pereira’s early attempt to bring in Souza and the intermittently impressive showings from Fernando Belluschi, rather than constituting strength in depth, appear to have complicated matters for the coach. Up front Walter is likely to return to the starting line-up.
The former Santa Clara manager needs to find a settled formula, and fast.
“When we play a game and we are not at our normal level it is natural we will be subject to criticism. But some of the criticism has second intentions, to destabilize the club. It is not legitimate or genuine,” argued Pereira yesterday.
The coach will be desperate for a convincing win over Nacional to enable him to go on the offensive rather than having to defend himself and his players.
While the Madeira side have themselves fallen far short of expectations this season, there are signs Nacional are turning things round. Three wins in their last four games should have raised morale among Ivo Vieira’s men. It is all set for a fascinating battle at the Estádio do Dragão.
Kick off at 6.15pm local time.
