Dominant performance from os Dragões. Really solid from start to finish. Danilo had a great match overall -- broke the deadlock with a powerful header and just ran the show in midfield. I have to admit that the midfield three of Danilo, Herrera, and Neves seemed to work well. Lots of energy and dictated the play well. Makes you wonder when/how Imbula gets back into the starting XI. It helps when you've got players like Brahimi -- guy seems to just glide past defenders sometimes. Andre Silva was on the bench. Would've liked to see him get some minutes, especially after the 72' with Porto up 3 - 0. Also, Casillas should've saved the Académica goal -- a super soft goal to give up in my opinion. Took advantage of Sporting's slip up in Madeira to move to the top of the league -- something Porto didn't do well enough last season. Next up is mighty Sporting at the Alvalade, who are coming off of two losses in a week.
Rough couple of weeks for os Dragões. Fallen to 3rd after last nights draw with Rio Ave in Porto. Able to see most of the match -- Porto controlled the game and should've scored more, as you would expect. Certainly a big difference between this year's squad and previous ones is the lack of a clinical finisher. Aboubakar and Silva are quality players who will improve in time, but at the moment the team is not finishing the chances that it creates. Either way, it's a long season and we'll see how it ends. Up next is the derby do Porto against Boavista, which is always fun. Boavista is having a tough season, sitting in relegation with 10 pts at the moment. I'd actually like to see them do well, just not next week!
So, Lopetegui finally loses his job. Can't say that it wasn't expected or deserved. He lost the supporters and just made some really strange tactical and personnel decisions in decisive moments. Interested to see who his long-term replacement will be. Jardim? Would've preferred Marco Silva last summer. We'll see how it pans out. Rui Barros takes over on the interim (not his first time in charge). Looking forward to the derby with Boavista.
Team looked determined in the first half. Herrera with two goals in two matches, beatiful run and an accurate finish. Playing some nice passes as well -- he’s all over the pitch. Pretty aggressive first half, as you would expect from a derby. Some hard tackles and a few yellow cards. All of this played into Boavista’s tactics, making a second goal even more important. An even first half in general. Brahimi had a few heavy touches. Aboubakar continues to miss some really clear chances. The trouble with this kid is that he does so many things right but his finishing isn’t what it needs to be. 0 - 1 at the half.
Finishes 5 - 0. Much better second half from Porto. Layún with a beautiful one-time cross to Aboubakar for the third goal. Boavista had a few unfortunate injuries (down to 9 men at one point), but it was a solid performance from Porto. Aboubakar’s second finish was much better. Imbula on for Herrera, who played really well again. Danilo with super finish in injury time -- nice flick off of a corner. 3 pts. and 5 goals in the derby, can’t ask for much more. Felt refreshing to not see Lopetegui screaming on the touchline. Visiting Boavista again on Wednesday in the Taça.
Folks... curious to know what has been the reason to see so little of Neves in the starting XI lately? It's difficult to get much detailed news on Porto here in the US.
Still have the Taça de Portugal final against Braga. Those dropped points cost us but 3rd place looks like it's ours. Here is to hoping that Porto have a good off-season and bring in some new guys esp defense. Looks like Layun is staying so that's good but I don't want to see Martin's Indi next season the guy is trash
Our Problem right now is with the club leadership. PDC is having a power struggle with some sharks, until that is sorted, Porto will be in 3rd for a long time.
We need to get rid of the deadweight and that includes Casillas I rather Jose Sa get the job Dropping points to Braga, Arouca and Tondela really got us Hope this team gets its shit together
Dzeko is in Roma and don't think we would get him due to the price tag and he isn't nearly as good as he used to be. We have decent players, just need 2 or 3 players that display the Porto mistique and we are good to go. By that I mean guys like Bruno Alves type who knows what it means to wear the jersey.
True....also next season will be better when Otávio come back from loan his numbers are great on Goalpoint he is the highest rated Mid in the Liga Nos. Too bad the Carlos Eduardo deal ********ed us and we had to loan Ricardo Pereira to Nice. Hope we get a new RB as I don't rate Maxi at all. Herrera Adrian Reyes Maicon Lica Quintero Evandro Should all be sold as per OJOGO and would bring in almost 40M € Which helps us balance the books and retain the likes of Brahimi, Corona, and more importantly Danilo I am optimistic about next season I believe 3rd place is what Porto needs to wake up Would love to see new CBs,a RB and a striker brought in Domestically in terms of Strikers I would not mind being linked to Stojiljkovic and Hassan also we were close to Signing Rafa Silva if we sign him them Brahimi could very well be our 10
That would get rid of a lot of dead weight but I would like to keep Herrera from that list. Sounds like we might just pick up Bruno Alves but just a rumour. He is slow and old but he could mouldy a CB partner and bring some old school Garra to the team. I like Brahimi but he isn't the most consistent out there. For A striker, I would mind going with an established striker for a couple of years like a Bryan Ruiz type instead of a prospect just to keep things stable. Casillas has to go ASAP. Doesn't bring anything new to the table. We aren't a team that relies on jersey sales and have Helton and Sa on the bench. Ridiculous.
CD Nacional have been in fine form lately always rated Manuel Machado. Salvador Agra, Nene Botanilha, Aly Ghezal, Rui Silva good players if they had an actual striker they would be higher up the table. Aboubakar is getting the start he needs to bury those chances he could of had over 20 goals by now if he had better conversion but he had 11 which isn't that bad considering. Herrera has been immense for us lately and I hope he stays on.
PDC won the election and will remain as Porto President. I think he has overstayed his welcome. I know he wants to go out with a league title but he needs to dissolve the executive committee and start fresh. Too many crooks.
There was certainly pressure either play well or get on the chopping block Varela scored an absolute screamer.