Futebol Clube do Porto vs Sporting Clube de Portugal Round 27--Liga Zon Sagres Estádio do Dragão 20:15 Sunday, April 17, 2011 So yeah, hopefully we beat these slimy bastards! No Fucile (injured) or Sapunaru (suspension), so RB will be an issue. Here's are remaining schedule: 17 April: Vs Sporting (Round 27 of League) 20 April: @ Benfica (2nd leg of Portuguese Cup; we trail 0-2 ) 28 April: Vs Villarreal (First leg of Europa League SF; order could be changed) 1 May: @ Setubal (Round 28 of League) 5 May: @ Villarreal (2nd leg of Europa League SF) 8 May: Vs Pacos de Ferreira (Round 29 of League) 15 May: @ Maritimo (Round 30 of League) 18 May: Europa League Final
Wow who the heck is gonna' start at RB? Emidio? Although Sporting is struggling, they are the best team remaining on our league schedule. We have to be careful. I'm sure they'd love to ruin our perfect season and I think if we can get out with a tie/win, will be on our way to finishing off a historic year!
Not Rafa, he's a natural LB who is out for the season with injury. The 3 candidates seem to be: Otamendi (Played RB for Argentina at WC) Sereno (Can play anywhere across the back-line, but is way better at CB) Fernando (Played RB before joining Porto)
i'd go with otamendi, he did well enough at RB in the world cup and he seems to be more mobile/athletic
they can improvise on that position. I bet most of them and GMs are thinking more about villarreal, than local liga games. many subs in the next 2 weekends? how do you see it.....that way, the colombian James Rdz., may get some more valuable minutes.
Well, Sporting-Porto is still a big rivalry with a lot of pride at stake. I think the subs will get a chance to play in May when we go up against Setubal, Pacos and Maritimo, but we'll probably see a strong lineup on Sunday like we did at Spartak. I'll predict something like this: Helton Otamendi-Rolando-Maicon-Alvaro Fernando Guarin-Moutinho Hulk-Falcao-Varela
Wow. I find it odd that Fernando wasn't called up. Is he hurt/suspended? Or just a rest? Who will start at DM? Souza?
i scoped out the sporting forum to see their take on the game and i only found two bitter ppl hating on porto and no talk about the game i wouldve gone with otamendi at RB but i trust AvB haha
Honestly, i'd just play a second string lineup. Don't want to risk anymore injuries. I know it's also important to keep our top players in best form but i Hulp, Falcao and Rolando only play 45 if they end up playing. We already go a situation with Fucile out who could play both RB/LB so i Sap or Alvaro get hurt, we are screwed. I just noticed, Sporting is 32 points back. DAMN!!!!!
I would seriously consider resting Alvaro...cover for him is slim. Especially vs a Sporting club who want 3rd, scupper our undefeated season, and want to get stuck in, its a dangerous mix for the health of our players. Other positions are acceptable in terms of depth and cover, but we saw the tiny little blip we had when Alvaro was out..the man is vital to our challenging for the Europa League and our visit to the 'club from the south' :
i wouldnt want to injur any players. i hope porto wins europa. as for those 32 pts, ya it sucks. bad year. all those ties killed us. atleast we have less losses then benfica
That would be the wise thing to do. This match is meaningless for Porto and you guys don't want to pick up an injury like Salvio from Benfica did. What a crucial blow that was. Such an important asset for Benfica's offense.
Yeah, and the unbeaten season means nothings. It's not the first time a team won the league with no losses so whatever.
It's the first time Porto would do it, so I'd say it means something. Not a priority, obviously, but it's not meaningless. Edit - Err... You were being ironic, right?
Yeah good point. Forgot about the undefeated streak. If Porto keep playing like this, Sporting don't stand a chance.
32 points ? who gives a shit bottom line Porto is scum always has and always will be Sporting is above all this, no matter what happens the result is the same: Sporting is glorious and noble club unlike many others in our football. and will keep producing the best portuguese players while the Kitchen staff at Porto is busy making burritos for its players