game schedule for Sept 24, Porto got a lot questionable marks, it looks like they will be out for the Leiria game, of Alentichiev, Maniche, McCarthy, Deco and Costinha.
I think Deco and Costinha are supposed to play! I think it's gonna be 3-1 porto. They shouldn't have too much trouble beating them but you never know Porto hasn't been themselves lately...
it looks like 4 out of five will be back, McCarthy, Deco, Maniche and Costinha, only Alentichiev will be out for three more weeks
An obvious huge game for Porto. These road games are so critical in the group play of a tournament like this. Hopefully, Porto can put a couple more goals away.
FC Porto pass the inferno of Belgrade, know they will play Benfica and then they will take care of business against Real Madrid
Although in general taking a point on the road in the CL is a good result, this was a disappointment. Porto had the lead early and should have been up by more (the accounts I read have Derlei missing a golden chance late in the first half). They also seem to have outplayed Partizan for most of the game, save for the period at the outset of the second half ending with the Partizan goal (which sounds flukey--a free kick deflecting off the back of a Partizan defender and falling at the feet of a Partizan forward). Porto also seems to have missed golden chances at the end of the game--apparently Alenitchev grazed the bar in the 89th minute. Moreover, though, starting with three points from this road game would have put them in strong position to qualify second, while now things remain up in the air. They've had their easiest road tie, Marseille has had their hardest, and they're only a point ahead. But all this will be beside the point if they can get a win or even a draw versus Real next week. That's going to be the game that will really test their mettle.
24 horas ratings Baia 6 pts Paulo Ferreira 6 Jorge Costa 6 Ricardo Carvalho 8 Nuno Valente 6 Costinha 6 Pedro Mendes 4 Maniche 6 Deco 4 McCarthy 2 subs Jankauskas 4 Bosingwa 6 Ricardo Fernandes --- attendance 32,000 referee Michal Benes [Rep, Chec] 6 Jose Mourinho 6
I agree with Chili, Porto should be able to get a win against Partizan. They (partizan) looked the weakest of the 4 teams in the group. Even though one point is better than no points, it gave me the impression that Porto could had win this game and be in a strong position to qualify to the knock out stage. This left Porto with pretty much having to win at home against Madrid (will be hard but not impossible) in order to be on top of the group . A tie at home is bad because it only gives Porto 2 points against an already 3 points of Madrid and if Marseilh wins against Partizan (they most likely will) they will have 3 points and 2nd place in the group, leaving Porto in 3rd place.
This game is crucial: we don't want to go into the final match against Real worried about qualificaiton and needing points against them in the Bernabeu, with OM facing Partizan (admittedly, in Belgrade where Partizan are undefeated). I feel confident that a solid effort from Porto will be enough to win. Deco will be back (right?), so we'll actually be stronger than against OM, when we defeated a team that is superior to Partizan (at least on paper). My ideal result here would be a Porto win and a Marseille win--that way we'd clinch qualification and go into Madrid with a chance to win the group.
Match preview from uefa.com: http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UCL/FixturesResults/Round=1712/Match=1056872/index.html Looks like Peixoto and Alenitchev will be missing, which is somewhat of a concern. Typically cagey comments from the coaches, complimenting the other team, not wanting to sound over- or under-confident. The only mildly interesting statement is Matthaeus' sugestion toward the end that he thinks qualification is a done deal and is really just thinking about a UEFA Cup spot.
Goal for Porto: McCarthy 25'. Porto 1-0 Partizan. If the scores stay the way they are, Porto is through. Lots of time left, though. From uefa.com Matchtracker: "The South African taps in from close range after Pantic had saved Maniche's low drive from the edge of the area."
Real leads Marseille 1-0 on a Beckham free kick goal. Now Porto is guaranteed qualification unless both losing teams stage comebacks (one to win, one to tie). That said, Porto should be careful--after getting the goal they've allowed Partizan quite a few chances.
1-0 HT. So far, so good. Porto had by far the majority of the possession and the chances, save for the period following the goal where Partizan came at them for a spell. Uefa.com: With Madrid also leading, things are looking up for qualification. Should be an exciting second half.