Futebol Clube do Porto vs Villarreal CF UEFA Europa League SF, 1st Leg Estádio do Dragão Thursday, April 28, 2011 20:05 Local Time Really excited for this tie! No match this weekend for Porto, so we have a full week to rest for the Yellow Submarine, who have to play this Sunday night at Sevilla. http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleagu...ground/index.html#porto+host+villarreal+semis http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/clubs/club=70691/index.html
Let's win and not concede an away goal. The latter will be a challenge with our somewhat depleted back line and they're decent offense.
Can't wait. I'd take a 1-0. I think we have what it takes to score away if they have to come at us. Not even sure we have to win, just keep our cool and not expose our defense. It's not going to be easy to keep a clean sheet, though. They tend to invite good teams forward and hit them on the break. It's paramount we must not let them get ahead in the tie or it's going to be very uphill from then on. That said, let's go get 'em!
The thought that we can embarrass Benfica for the fourth time this year will surely motivate the players to dispatch Villarreal
Alvaro also said tonight that he wants to stay at Porto for "many, many years." Great to have our best players committing to the club!
Let's talk tactics: --Does Varela start at LW, or should an in-form Cristian Rodriguez play again? --Maicon or Otamendi at CB, next to Rolando?
God, Varela, a million times Varela. I don't trust Cebolla, especially with Spanish teams. (who are not afraid of taking advantage and targeting mental players to make them react) I'd pick Otamendi too, he has something extra. None is super safe, though.
One thing about Cristian Rodriguez is that the player is always willing to run his ass off and help out defensively; I think that's one of his best qualities. AVB has demonstrated that he's not afraid to bench a regular starter if someone is in better form--i.e. Varela, Belluschi, Fucile, Otamendi and even Fernando--so I wouldn't be stunned to see Cristian Rodriguez start on Thursday.
I think we'll have most of the possession so not sure I'll give him the nod over defensive duties. Maybe in the away match if we're ahead in the tie. Oh, and get ready to be robbed. I'm sure UEFA doesn't want an all Portuguese final in Dublin. Bad for business.
I've thought about that. It does concern me. But that can only happen if we allow it. If we play excellent and dominate the game, nothing UEFA can do
While this is true, all it takes is one bad call. Even a purposely neglected throw-in could change the tide of the game. That said, even failing to give us a call could lead to us scoring from open play. This is assuming UEFA is out to get out though I firmly believe that regardless of anything else that happens and any unknown forces out there, we control our own fate at this point. We are one of the best sides in the world based on our history and current form, and we fully deserve to win this trophy. I wouldn't mind giving Villarreal a nice thrashing, teaching those clowns why having a decent defensive line is mandatory.
Squad called: Lista de convocados: Guarda-redes – Helton e Beto; Defesas – Maicon, Álvaro Pereira, Rolando, Sapunaru e Otamendi; Médios – Guarín, João Moutinho, Souza, Fernando e Rúben Micael; Avançados – Falcao, Rodriguez, James, Varela, Walter e Hulk
I expect.. -----------------Helton--------------- --Alvaro--Rolando--Otamendi---Sapunaru -----------------Fernando----------- -----------Moutinho----Guarin-------- -------Hulk------Falcao----------Varela---