14 September 2006, by Sean Gillen

Porto frustrated by dogged Russians

FC Porto 0-0 CSKA Moscow

FC Porto began their Champions League campaign with a frustrating stalemate against a distinctly average CSKA Moscow side at the Dragao.

Despite the best efforts of the outstanding Brazilian youngster Anderson, the Portuguese champions could not turn their large spells of possession into goals and had to share the points with the Russians.

Jeualdo Ferreira: "We proved we have ability to progress in group"

Jesualdo Ferreira made three changes to the side that beat Estrela da Amadora at the weekend, with Ezequias, Assuncao and Quaresma coming in for Cech, Raul Meireles and Lisandro Lopez. The visitors began with many of the players who started their UEFA Cup final win against Sporting in 2005, with Brazilians Daniel Carvalho and Vagner Love making up the Russian’s attack.

Porto took time to settle, but after some early pressure from the visitors, Ricardo Quaresma began to cause Moscow problems with his pace and trickery down both flanks. After beating Berezutski with ease, the former Barcelona man flashed a dangerous ball across the six-yard box. Lucho Gonzalez then found Quaresma with an excellent throughball, but the winger made poor use of a crossing opportunity.

Anderson missile

Brazilian wonderkid Anderson almost gave the hosts the lead in spectacular fashion, receiving a pass from Lucho before bursting past Rahimic and unleashing a thunderous left-footed shot, which cannoned back off the post. The prodigiously gifted 18-year-old then breezed past several CSKA defenders before getting a little too much power on a cross-shot to the back post.

Fellow Brazilian Adriano headed narrowly wide from a corner as a Porto goal appeared imminent. More excellent wing play from Quaresma saw the 22-year-old use his trademark cross with the outside of the boot to find Adriano in the box, but the forward headed over under pressure from Zhirkov.

Adriano and Quaresma both went close again before the break, as Porto went in to half time unlucky not to be ahead. Despite his side’s dominance, Ferreira made a substitution at the interval, replacing the ineffective Tarik with Helder Postiga.

The second half saw Porto enjoy an equally large amount of possession, but the goalscoring chances were less frequent and the game went slightly flat at times during the second period. The hard-working Anderson showed great determination and strength to win the ball for his side, before putting Adriano through on goal, but the former Nacional man again failed to convert his chance.

Anderson then connected well with a half-volley on his right foot, but CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Akinfeev saved low to his left. The young Brazilian was carrying much of the attacking threat for his side, and he picked out Lucho Gonzalez with a beautifully weighted ball at the back post, only for the midfielder to cushion the ball back into open space rather than attempt to get an effort on goal.

Akinfeev save

CSKA keeper Akinfeev then produced another excellent save, blocking Lucho at the back post when the Argentine looked certain to score. CSKA rarely threatened during the game, with tame efforts from Carvalho causing Helton little trouble. Porto did have to thank Bruno Alves, however, when the defender made an excellent interception as Dudu attempted to connect with a dangerous looking Carvalho cross.

Lisandro Lopez, who replaced Adriano, was gifted one final chance in the fourth minute of injury time, but Akinfeev was in an unbeatable mood and once again denied Porto the all-important breakthrough.

The final whistle sounded to loud jeers from the home fans, no doubt annoyed that their side failed to take advantage of a seemingly beatable CSKA outfit. Next up for the Portuguese champions is a trip to London, to play Premiership side Arsenal, before a double-header with the dangerous Germans, Hamburg.

PortuGOAL Man of the Match:
Anderson - Carried Porto’s main goal threat, and was unlucky not to score in the first half. His high work rate, athleticism and exceptional footballing ability lit up an otherwise forgetful match.

Porto:
Helton, Bosingwa, Ezequias, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Paulo Assuncao, Lucho Gonzalez, Anderson, Tarik (Postiga, 47), Quaresma (Alan, 61), Adriano (Lopez, 71)
Yellow Cards: None

CSKA Moscow:
Akinfeev, Ignashevich, Semberas, Berezutski, Rahimic, Aldonin, Zhirkov, Krasic, Dudu (Berezutsky, 87), Carvalho (Gusev, 91), Vagner Love (Olic, 76)
Yellow Cards: Rahimic (36), Dudu (41), (Zhirkov, 46), Berezoutski (67)