Braga just won 2-1 so we need 3 points here to keep at least a 3 point cushion on Braga and a cushion on Benfica (although they haven't played yet). We're playing 10th place Academica at home, so 3 points are definitely expected but you never know. Let's see how we come out! Our XI: Helton (GK) Sapunaru (RB) Alvaro (LB) Maicon & Rolando (CB's) Fernando (DM) Moutinho & Lucho (CM's) James & Hulk (LW & RW) Janko (ST) Otamendi gets the game off as Maicon moves to CB and Sapunaru plugs the hole at RB. Everything else is pretty routine, James gets into the XI with Varela still out and Djalma moves to the bench from last week's XI. Bench: Bracali (GK) Sandro (LB) Otamendi (CB) Defour (CM) Cristian Rodriguez & Djalma (LW & RW) Kleber (ST) Names I recognize in Academica's XI: David Simao (the kid who scored a wonder free kick for Portugal U21?) Cedric Soares & Adrien Silva (both on loan from Sporting?) Edinho (formerly of Malaga? Or is on loan from Malaga?) Game time in 10 mins!
Unlucky there, Hulk wasn't offside... Definitely a trap game, we are playing very slow and everybody waiting for someone else to solve it.
Wow, Hulk awarded a yellow for a "dive" in the area that should have been a penalty IMO 60th min, we're putting on tons of pressure though. Rolando off for Kleber
Djalma also on for Sapunaru We're really going for it, wow. Good though! James awarded a yellow for a dive in the area (well deserved this time)
I like how VP takes these risks and brings on a lot of attackers, too bad we don't have quality offensive players to make it pay off. Only Hulk, James and Moutinho seemed dangerous... Janko and Kleber were threats in the air but terrible with the ball at their feet. At least we equalized at the end so we are still clear in first place but credit to Academica they played well and defended well.
