UD Leiria vs Futebol Clube do Porto Round 3--Liga Zon Sagres Tuesday, September 6, 2011 20:15 Not an easy game with some key players missing, but hopefully Hulk is OK to start. Players Called: GK: Helton, Bracalli DF: Fucile, Maicon, Rolando, Mangala, Alvaro MF: Fernando, Moutinho, Belluschi, Defour, Souza FW: Varela, Hulk, Kleber, Walter, J.Rodriguez, C.Rodriguez -- International duty: Guarin, Otamendi, Sapunaru Injured: Alex Sandro, Rafa Not Called: Iturbe, Djalma, Kadu
Not bad. What I expect/hoping to see: -------------Helton----------------- --Fucile--Maicon--Rolando---Alvaro--- --------------Fernando-------------- ----------Moutinho--Belluschi------- ---Hulk---------Kleber-------Varela--- Wouldn't mind seeing Mangala start instead of Maicon. Also, I really hope Fernando starts over Souza.
Kind of cool, Porto chartered a plane for Hulk to make sure he gets to the match on time! That's good stuff, just proves how important these away matches in the league are. http://www.ojogo.pt/27-249/artigo945155.asp PortoDragons, pretty much agree on the lineup, though I think James might start ahead of Varela and Souza ahead of Fernando. We'll see.
James better play today, or else I'm gonna beat VP. Edit: Lolz of the day, Chelsea Shop advert in the Porto forum. I guess it's almost true.
Souza better not start ahead of Fernando. Don't be dumb VP! Now that Fernando is here to stay until at least January, we mines will use him.
Almost exactly what I expected ----------------Helton------------------ ---Fucile---Maicon--Rolando----Alvaro--- ----------------Fernando---------------- -----------Moutinho--Belluschi-------- -----Hulk--------Kleber----------James---- Bench: Bracali (GK) Varela Walter Cristian Rodriguez Mangala Defour Souza
We've had some solid chances. James looks GREAT already in his first appearance. Hulk had a fantastic run up the middle with multiple defenders around him and curled the shot just over the crossbar. As much as we've had great chances, Leiria has spent quite a bit of time in our end as well.
Classic FC Porto series of events UD Leiria with best chance of the game, Helton with a touch, Porto counterattack and TADA- JAMES RODRIGUEZ opens the scoring, putting it past the keeper bottom right corner. 1-0 Porto and now Porto just chance after chance in the minutes that follow. Like Leiria decided to take a breather mid-game.
Was just about to post this! We almost concede, lead the counter attack right away, gorgeous through ball from Moutinho to James with a beautiful finish! 1-0 Wow, now we're REALLY flying. James almost scores again immediately after his goal, and now Kleber shows good hustle to get the ball off a defender and has his shot parried wide.
These french guys, man what commentary, almost prophetic. No more than 20 seconds after they say a Kleber goal is getting close and would really help his confidence, BAM 2-0 Porto (Kleber) HM: Nice pass by Belluschi to get him into space to finish in the box.
2-0! Kleber Belluschi with the nice pass to Kleber who was in excellent position in the box. Would have been REALLY poor if he didn't finish truly. But, he did show a nice toe drag to get the ball in better positioning and finished very nicely with a high shot. GO KLEBER! 2-0 '38 (current minute)
Yup Belluschi owned the defence by pretending to shoot then pass to the wide open Kleber. Even Helton would score that one.