Futebol Clube do Porto vs Vitória FC Round 4--Liga Zon Sagres Friday, September 8, 2011 Estádio do Dragão 20:15 So a chance to extend our perfect league record before the first CL game next week. Hulk did some light training today and may well start, but the only surprise is Varela being left out in favor of Djalma. Otamendi, Guarin and Sapunaru also miss out due to their recent return from international duty. So hopefully we get another 3 points to keep the momentum going! Squad called: GK: Helton, Bracalli DF: Fucile, Maicon, Rolando, Mangala, Alvaro MF: Fernando, Moutinho, Belluschi, Defour, Souza FW: Djalma, Hulk, Kleber, Walter, J.Rodriguez, C.Rodriguez Injured: Alex Sandro, Rafa Not Called: Iturbe, Varela, Kadu, Guarin, Otamendi, Sapunaru Possible lineup: Helton Fucile-Rolando-Maicon-Alvaro Fernando Belluschi-Moutinho Hulk-Kleber-James
I would like to see Mangala start instead of Maicon but doubt it will happen. What a hectic schedule for us, 3 games in 7 days Hoping James can follow up on his Tuesday performance. Odd that Varela wasn't included; I was hoping he & James could start on the wings to give Hulk a break ahead of our CL game next week; looks like Hulk will be asked to play through the slight injury tomorrow and Tuesday Unless VP shocks us and starts James & Djalma. Hoping for another 3 points and escaping injury free ahead of Tuesday's massive game!
Interesting to see Varela left out. Last year at this time he was a guaranteed starter, but I don't know if he's every fully recovered from his injuries. Still seems like he lacks confidence, and we'll see if he can regain his place at some point. I'd be really surprised to see Djalma start, by the way. If Hulk can't go, O Jogo predicts that VP will play Cristian Rodriguez on the left, with James on the right. We'll see!
Haha it's cool. But O Jogo reported that? Seems like they made a mistake as well. someone with your quality of post can make a mistake here or there
I actually can't remember where I heard that he wasn't registered, but I should have examined the source more carefully. BTW Shakhtar won tonight 5-1 against some Ukranian club, Porto needs to do the same to send a message ahead of the CL game next week!
And the starting XI has been announced: Captain Helton Fucile-Rolando-Maicon-Alvaro Souza Belluschi-Defour James-Kleber-C. Rodriguez --So Defour for Moutinho is the big surprise, but I understand VP giving one of his stars a rest. Up front I'm sure the Rodriguez boys will switch flanks (Cebolla might even start on the right). And hopefully Hulk is available on the bench if needed, but I haven't seen the substitutes list.
OK here's the bench: Walter, Hulk, Varela, Moutinho, Fernando, Mangala and Bracalli. BTW, huge opportunities for Cebolla and Defour tonight, hopefully they play well.
Fernando, Moutinho & Hulk all getting a rest ahead of Tuesday's CL game. Souza is a luxury to have now for these league games as we thought he'd be a starter all year anyways. We should still be able to win and and get guys like Hulk, Moutinho, Varela, Guarin, Otamendi & Fernando well rested for Tuesday.
Setubal being saved by the 2nd goalkeeper right now. First a Souza header goes off the post and then a Rolando header off the crossbar just seconds apart!
Wow and another crossbar! James puts in a beautiful lob pass into the box over a defender's head.. Kleber gets to the bouncing ball and volleys it off the bar! A very nice finish attempt by Kleber. 2 crossbars and 1 post
Is James playing on the left or right, guys? Good to hear that we're pressuring and looking for the goal.
0-0 HT Surely we should be ahead (2 crossbars & 1 post) but we haven't been our usual fluent selves. We've dominated possession and had some great chances but it feels like something is missing. But still, we've been the much better team no doubt and we should ahead. Wonder if we may see some immediate subs in the second half. I didn't see who, but two players were warming up on the sidelines as the half expired.
Moutinho on for Souza right at half. Wow, take out the DM and go more offensive. VP is not interested in dropping points here!