UEFA CL GS Matchday 1: FC Porto vs Shakhtar

IF we played an english team, we would get owned.

We really need to close this deal.

Another goal please or risk suffering another goal!

Varela on for Hulk. '78

Wow at Apoel scoring two goals in two minutes to go up 2-1 on Zenit

One of the goal scorers names is Almeida lol

Wow. We got VERY LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lucky to have not conceded there. This is why we need a 3rd goal!

Hey ref, where's the yellow.

There it is, another butcher gone.

Anoter Red card for Shakhtar. Can't spell his name. lol

Lol, Shakhtar goes down a second man after a 2nd yellow card.

James hits the crossbar

CROSSBAR hit by James

James free kick off the bar and out!

"Rotten apple" comes close

what a nutmeg by James

2-1 Porto FT.

Our objective was to get the three points and we did just that. Can't complain at all. Shahktar were fortunate not to lose 4-1 or more. The 2-1 score line doesn't do this game justice. Even at even strength, Shahktar never looked dangerous. There goal was a rare mistake by Helton. They also showed poor discipline with two well deserved red cards

Helton - 6/10 - Let in a very disappointing goal. Otherwise was solid.
Fucile & Alvaro - Equally good performances
Otamendi - 7/10 - Didn't see a mistake really
Maicon - 6.5/10 - Looked shaky as well.

Fernando - 7/10 - Was his usual solid self
Moutinho - 8/10 - Was absolute class
Defour - 6.5/10 - Wasted opportunities. Isn't blessed with offensive talent.

Hulk - 8/10. Made up for missing a PK with a bomba of a free kick. Was flying all night.

James - 8/10 - Was in fantastic form as well. What a player!
Kleber - 7/10 - Scored the winner. Easy goal but he was there. Should have had a send goal.

Subs:

Belluschi - 7/10 Should have started over Defour. Was more fluent.
Djalma - 6.5/10 Didn't play much but did a good job getting involved.
Varela - N/A No impact late

3 points

I think we can beat them in Ukraine too. A win in Russia vs. Zenit next week would be Sweeeet

Yeah, Maicon scares the crap out of me. Very sloppy and red card prone. He should never start another CL game that we need to win.

If we can win the next match in Russia then qualification will basically be a formality. Bruno Alves will be suspended, and Zenit will obviously be desperate for a win after the shocking loss to APOEL.

Great, then we won't have our players killed

Haha.

Unfortunately, our black players still might.

With Alves missing, I expect there defense to seriously suffer. 3 points in Russia are very possible.

Theoretically they should still have a reasonably strong defense with Anyukov (Russian international) at RB, Lombaerts (Belgian international) and Hubocan at CB, and Criscito (Italian international) at LB.

Where I think they really lack quality is in the center of midfield, so I'm hoping that Porto don't just sit back and try to play on the counter.

All the pressure will be on Zenit...I still fancy us to qualify even if we lose this match.

Agreed on all accounts. I don't think will sit back either. It's not in our nature. We should be able to dominate this game in the midfield.

porto was lucky to win this game, wasnt a good performance and kleber is nowhere near as good as falcao or ricky van wolfswinkel. I think shaktar was a bit hard done by the referees.

Our defense was sloppy but we were unlucky not to win by 2 or 3. We hit the woodwork 3 times. Who the heck is wolfy?

You know, the flop who cost Sportem 5 mil who has scord what? 1 goal!

Zonal Marking has an article on the game, if anyone is interested:
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/09/14/porto-2-1-shakhtar-ill-discipline-costs-shakhtar/