Futebol Clube do Porto vs SL Benfica Liga Portuguesa (6ª Jornada) Estádio do Dragão Friday, September 23, 2011 20:15 I feel that this is an important match even though it is only the 6th game of the season. Clearly Benfica has more confidence right now (4 straight league wins and a solid CL draw with United), while Porto were held to a very frustrating draw yesterday at Feirense. If Porto loses this match there is no doubt that Vitor Pereira will come under a lot of criticism and pressure from the media and fans, so let's hope that the home crowd carries us to a dominating victory. --We missed Hulk & Alvaro yesterday, so I'm expecting that they'll return fresh, fit & motivated for this big clash. But unfortunately James was dismissed from yesterday's match for shoving a Feirense player, so he'll miss out on Friday.
Definitely a must win game this early in the season. And at home, we should definitely win this match. Gonna suck to not have James available but Varela starting should be good enough. I predict FC Porto 2-1
Yeah I don't think it'll be another 5-0 thrashing this year. Maybe we'll see a lineup like this: Helton Sapunaru-Rolando-Otamendi-Alvaro Fernando Belluschi-Moutinho Hulk-Kleber-Varela --Alvaro returns in defense at LB; Otamendi replaces Mangala, even though the latter was impressive in his debut vs Feirense; and Sapunaru keeps his place at RB since he's better defensively than Fucile. --Expecting an out-and-out DM this match to cope with Benfica's midfield, the veteran Fernando might get the nod; Belluschi has great success vs Benfica in the past, so he might start ahead of Guarin (looks a little rusty) and Defour; Moutinho to keep his place as well. --Hulk returns to the attack, which should help out Kleber; I do agree that Varela is the obvious replacement for James, as Cristian Rodriguez is sucking right now and Djalma shouldn't start this type of match.
I'm expecting Hulk to be super motivated for this game and have one heck of a game. His left foot is on fire.
Yeah and who is Benfica's LB anyway these days...Emerson? Considering that Hulk dominated Coentrao last year, I hope he scores a couple of rockets on Friday.
Sapunaru could be a liability. He seems to a lot of hatred toward Benfica after the phantom tunnel incident.
My thinking with Sapunaru starting is that he's usually a more reliable defensive full-back than Fucile, and thus might be a good option to try and stop Nolito or whoever Benfica has on the left flank, especially since we'll have Alvaro bombing up the other side. But Sapu didn't look great vs Feirense and Fucile has played well this season.
Here's our list of call-ups: GK: Helton and Braccali DF: Fucile, Rolando, Otamendi, Maicon and Alvaro MF: Fernando, Souza, Guarin, Belluschi, Moutinho and Defour FW: Hulk, Kleber, Walter, Varela and Cristian Rodriguez SUSPENDED: James INJURED: Alex Sandro and Rafa TECHNICAL DECISION: Sapunaru, Mangala, Djalma and Iturbe --So Hulk and Alvaro thankfully return from injury/rest, while Maicon is chosen ahead of Mangala (thought the Frenchman played well in his debut vs Feirense). --Aside from James, the biggest absence is Sapunaru, though many of you guys wanted Fucile at RB anyway. I'll admit that the Romanian didn't look 100% fit vs Feirense. --Walter is again called up, which is just bizarre. If Kleber struggles again or we need a goal, let's hope that VP has the courage to bring on Walter rather than just letting him rot on the bench.
I'm hoping for -----------------Helton------------------- ----Fucile---Rolando--Otamendi---Alvaro--- -----------------Fernando--------------- -------------Guarin--Moutinho---------- -----Hulk----------Kleber----------Varela- I think it'll basically be that; only changes I can see would be Belluschi over Guarin and/or C.Rodriguez over Varela; hope neither happens (more opposed to C. Rodriguez than Belluschi though).
Agree, I think you're line up is most likely what we'll see. I would Sub in if needed: -Guarin for Belluschi (maybe Defour) -Fucile for Sapunaru -C. Rodriguez for Varela Wish this game wasn't on a Friday but looking forward to it! Forca Porto!
Obrigação é ganhar! When you're at the Dragão and muppets like Jorge Jesus are running their mouths off and Cardozo is ready to the throws elbows and get stuck in late tackles, we need to show up and give them what they deserve...0 points and a deflated sense of self. Hulk knows what is up...like a bull, when he sees that red, it reminds him of that fateful December night at the luz (I was there)...no question he'll be motivated, and that will only help the other 10 rise up and play their hearts out. Quero essa garra tripeira moços!
Official lineups Helton Alvaro Fucile Otamendi Rolando Fernando Moutinho Guarin Hulk Varela Kleber Exactly what I'd expect from Porto! Artur Garay Lusiao Emerson Maxi Pereira Javi Garcia Witsel Nolito Gaitan Cardozo Aimar FORCA PORTO!
Awful ref, simply awful. Lots of pressure by us but we seem to run out of ideas just outside of the box. On another note, what a bit ch Aimar is. He's like that yapping kid that needs a kick in the ass. Fucile just missed a huge opportunity. Artur comes up huge.