UEFA CL GS Matchday 2: Zenit vs FC Porto

Discussion in 'FC Porto' started by Chacal, Sep 25, 2011.

  1. Chacal

    Chacal Member

    Oct 11, 2010
    California
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    FC Zenit St. Petersburg vs Futebol Clube do Porto
    UEFA Liga dos Campeões (Grupo G - 2ª Jornada)
    Wednesday, September 28, 2011
    Petrovski Stadion
    17:00 in Portugal



    --Note the kickoff time, as UEFA starts the matches in Russia earlier due to the time difference.

    --We've had a lot of success in Moscow in recent seasons, including defeating CSKA and Spartak during last year's Europa League run. But this'll be our first time playing Zenit. I've watched a few of their home matches in recent years, and they have a smaller, more intimate atmosphere (about 20,000 fan capacity) that can be loud and intimidating to deal with.

    --They're in first place in the Russian league and are the defending champs there, but lost their first CL match in Cyprus to APOEL. That was definitely a huge shock, and puts a ton of pressure on them to get something out of this match. I think a draw would obviously be fine for Porto, but I'm sure VP will want the win after 2 straight league draws.

    --Big Bad Bruno Alves will be suspended for Zenit, but hopefully he'll get a chance to play in front of the Porto crowd when they visit Portugal later. I think Zenit usually field a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Danny as their main creative attacking threat. I'm confident that Porto's midfield can really take control of this match, but it won't be easy against a tough team in a hostile environment.


    [Some stuff on Zenit]
    http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/clubs/club=52826/index.html
    http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2012/clubs/club=52826/domestic/index.html
     
  2. Chacal

    Chacal Member

    Oct 11, 2010
    California
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Squad Called:

    GK: Helton & Bracali

    DF: Fucile, Rolando, Maicon, Mangala, Otamendi & Alvaro

    MF: Fernando, Souza, Belluschi, Defour & Moutinho

    FW: Hulk, Djalma, Kleber, James, Cristian Rodriguez & Varela


    SUSPENDED: Guarin

    INJURED: Sapunaru

    NOT REGISTERED: Walter, Iturbe & Alex Sandro


    --So Guarin is still suspended from the straight red vs Barcelona, while Sapunaru is obviously still hurt from the Feirense match. Nice to have James back.

    --Also, Alex Sandro is finally getting fit and should be ready to play in the league pretty shortly. That's good news.
     
  3. palynka

    palynka Member

    Jun 7, 2006
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Pretty straightforward eleven, I guess. Helton, Fucile, Rolando, Ota, Alvaro, Fernando, Moutinho, Belluschi, Hulk, Kleber, James. I have a bad feeling that VP will put Varela, Hulk and James but I hope I'm wrong.

    If we can get a nice result in Moscow we would basically be with one foot in the door with only 2 matches gone. A draw would be nice, but mostly I'd like to see the same attitude that Porto had last year on away games.
     
  4. ---Z---

    ---Z--- Member+

    Cagalhao
    Nov 2, 2005
    CAMPEAO
    Club:
    Sporting CP Lisbon
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Zenit is a crap team Porto should win, If it was Sporting id be more confident especially with the new van basten (ricky van wolfswinkel) on our team but you guys are stuck with shit like kleber

    so all the best to you lot and gday lads.
     
  5. BatatasFritas

    BatatasFritas Member+

    Nov 29, 2004
    Toronto
    Club:
    FC Porto
    You are right, Ricky's 4 goals the league will be a tough mountain to reach for Kleber with only 3 goals.
     
  6. ---Z---

    ---Z--- Member+

    Cagalhao
    Nov 2, 2005
    CAMPEAO
    Club:
    Sporting CP Lisbon
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    if only he started every game hed probably have more

    and if SCP wasnt robbed by the refs in first couple games we could be in first.

    even though we have 17 new players LOL
     
  7. PortoDragons

    PortoDragons Member

    Feb 17, 2010
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Hoping for a win!!
     
  8. Chacal

    Chacal Member

    Oct 11, 2010
    California
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm also expecting James to start and hopefully have a strong match after missing the Benfica game.
     
  9. ---Z---

    ---Z--- Member+

    Cagalhao
    Nov 2, 2005
    CAMPEAO
    Club:
    Sporting CP Lisbon
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    yeah James should start hes probably the 2nd best young promise in Portugal, after andre Carillo.
     
  10. Chacal

    Chacal Member

    Oct 11, 2010
    California
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Starting XI:

    Helton
    Fucile-Rolando-Otamendi-Alvaro
    Fernando
    Belluschi-Moutinho
    Hulk-Kleber-James​

    Bench: Bracali, Maicon, Souza, Defour, Varela, Djalma, Cristian Rodriguez


    Zenit:

    Malafeev; Anyukov, Lombaerts, Hubocan, Criscito; Shirokov, Zyryanov, Denisov, Fayzulin, Danny; Kerzhakov.
     
  11. palynka

    palynka Member

    Jun 7, 2006
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    No surprises in our starting XI. Chacal, any inside ruski info on their starting XI?
     
  12. PortoDragons

    PortoDragons Member

    Feb 17, 2010
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Glad it's the exact lineup I expected with Guarin still suspended. Let's get a win!
     
  13. Chacal

    Chacal Member

    Oct 11, 2010
    California
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I haven't been able to watch them much, but from what I've heard:

    --They usually employ a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Denisov and Shirokov as the central midfielders, Fayzulin on one flank and Kerzhakov as the lone striker. In Europe they often prefer to play on the counter, which could favor our possession-oriented style of play.

    --Criscito really loves to bomb forward from LB, but maybe Hulk's presence will slow him down. Anyukov can also get forward from RB pretty effectively, so they utilize their FB's in a manner that's similar to what Porto does.

    --Danny is their best attacker, and drifts around looking for space. He might start out as a #10 and match up against Fernando, but might also drift out to the left wing to have a go at Fucile. We'll obviously need to watch him closely.

    --I think if Porto wins this match, it'll be because of the midfield domination. Zenit's goal will be to isolate Danny in space, but if we can prevent that and control possession then I think we'll be fine. Wouldn't shock me to see a pretty cautious approach from both teams in the first half, and 0-0 isn't out of the question.
     
  14. PortoDragons

    PortoDragons Member

    Feb 17, 2010
    Club:
    FC Porto
    We've been more poised thus far but Zenit are posing an attack as well
     
  15. BatatasFritas

    BatatasFritas Member+

    Nov 29, 2004
    Toronto
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Hulk is a beast, assisted James for the 1-0 lead.
     
  16. PortoDragons

    PortoDragons Member

    Feb 17, 2010
    Club:
    FC Porto
    GOAL! 1-0 PORTOO

    Beautiful ball from James to Hulk who did well to control it, showed patience and beat his defender to put the ball across back to James for an open net tap in.

    1-0
     
  17. BatatasFritas

    BatatasFritas Member+

    Nov 29, 2004
    Toronto
    Club:
    FC Porto
    What a poor "save" by Helton which led to the Zenit goal. All tied up.
     
  18. palynka

    palynka Member

    Jun 7, 2006
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    Any streams guys?
     
  19. PortoDragons

    PortoDragons Member

    Feb 17, 2010
    Club:
    FC Porto
    1-1. Tough to blame Helton there IMO, the ball was fired across with flare, tough to catch; he did well to parry, unfortunately to a waiting Zenit offender. Fucile almost stopped it too.

    1-1
     
  20. BatatasFritas

    BatatasFritas Member+

    Nov 29, 2004
    Toronto
    Club:
    FC Porto
    I think he could of done better.
     
  21. palynka

    palynka Member

    Jun 7, 2006
    Nat'l Team:
    Portugal
    How I miss Sapunaru...
     
  22. Figo_7

    Figo_7 Member

    Feb 7, 2007
    caralho, what was fucile thinking there? it wasn't THAT dangerous now we're a man down :S
     
  23. PortoDragons

    PortoDragons Member

    Feb 17, 2010
    Club:
    FC Porto
    Fucile with a red card before the half. Damn, just our luck 2 minutes into extra time he's called for a hand ball (2nd yellow card).

    Kleber also got hurt and it looked pretty bad as they had his shoulder wrapped. Varela was brought on for him. That's why you need to always carry AT LEAST three strikers. Drives me insane we only carry two! If Kleber is lost for a long time which could be realistic, we either take Hulk away from the wing (move him to striker) which I don't like or start an unfit Walter with 0 other striker options available.

    Started off so well but ended up being disastrous second part of the first half with Kleber's injury and Fucile's red card.

    Danny has been phenomenal by the way, wow. I wish Portugal utilized him more like Zenit does in a free roaming role.
     
  24. vaiamerda

    vaiamerda Member+

    Feb 27, 2011
    Let's see what VP is made out of this second half.

    He needs to make some important subs this half.

    Bring in Maicon and take off Varela, even though he just came in.
     
  25. vaiamerda

    vaiamerda Member+

    Feb 27, 2011
    No kidding.
     

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