Idrissa Doumbia with his first call up for the semi final match tomorrow vs. Braga. GK: Renan, Salin, Luís Maximiliano. DEF: Ristovski, Coates, André Pinto, Mathieu, Jefferson, Acuña. MID: Petrovic, Doumbia, Gudelj, Miguel Luís, Bruno Fernandes, Francisco Geraldes, Wendel. ATT: Diaby, Nani, Raphinha, Jovane Cabral, Bas Dost, Luiz Phellype.
Big surprise in the starting XI - Luiz Phellype gets the start over Bas Dost. Renan Ribeiro Rivstovski, Coates, Mathieu, Acuña Gudelj, Bruno Fernandes, Wendel Raphinha, Nani, Luiz Phellype SUBS: Salin, Jefferson, André Pinto, Petrovic, Francisco Geraldes, Diaby, Bas Dost
How professional soccer teams give up goals within the first 2 minutes is something I’ll never understand
Phellype has had a couple of shots, it's obvious he's still getting used to the team but he's a different striker than Dost, more mobile - I think he might be a good pick-up for us considering his low cost. Dost is usually anonymous in these big games. Andre Pinto warming up during half-time, possible injury to Mathieu?
Confirmed - Mathieu off for Pinto, unknown injury. This is why we need a quality CB to back-up our defenders who are injury prone.
I thought it was a foul. And if VAR thought it was enough to call the ref, then I'll accept it. BTW Acuna with a terrible giveaway - if Zenit really want to pay 20M for him I'll drive him to the airport myself.
P.S. I like how Braga bench and coach are all pumped up and angry but when they got routed by their friends 6-2 it was all smiles and hugs.