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| Tuesday, 06 December 2011 09:27 |
Porto aim to complete Champions League resurrectionFC Porto v Zenit St. Petersburg preview  Just a fortnight ago FC Porto travelled to Shakhtar Donetsk with a very real possibility of being knocked out of Europe altogether. Tonight, they welcome Zenit St. Petersburg to the Estadio do Dragao in the knowledge that victory will qualify them for the knockout stages of the Champions League, and could even see them finishing top of Group G.
That crucial win against the Ukrainians, followed up by another important three points in the Liga against Braga, has gone a long way to silencing critics of Porto boss Vitor Pereira. Victory against Zenit and the coach will consider his redemption complete.
But on the other side of the barricade are the expensively assembled champions of Russia, who know a draw will suffice to make progress in the world’s greatest club competition – at the expense of Porto. The visitors will also be spurred on by the memory of the first match between the two teams, which Zenit won convincingly.
Season-defining gamePereira made no attempt to play down what was at stake. “It’s an important game because it defines a clear objective of the season. We want very much to continue in the Champions League and to do so we have to pass this obstacle,” said the Porto coach.
A full house is expected and Pereira appealed to the home fans to play their part in pushing the team to victory. “The supporters can be a fundamental aspect in this game. I ask them to show a lot of soul and to create a hostile atmosphere. An infernal atmosphere is what we need. We want Zenit to experience the same atmosphere that we experienced in Russia,” he said.
The only slight surprise in Porto’s matchday squad is the omission of attacking midfielder Christian Rodriguez, who is replaced by centre-back Mangala. The full squad reads as follows: Helton, Bracali, Fucile, Maicon, Rolando, Mangala, Otamendi, Alvaro Pereira, Belluschi, Joao Moutinho, Fernando, Souza, Defour, Kleber, Hulk, Varela, James, Djalma.
Porto’s upturn in fortunes has coincided with a change in formation, and Pereira is likely to stick to the same 4x2x3x1 line-up for a third successive match. The tactical switch sees Joao Moutinho drop back alongside Fernando, allowing Belgian midfielder Defour more liberty to roam forward, with James and Djalma on either flank and Hulk playing as a central striker. Maicon is again expected to be preferred to Fucile at right-back.
Danny’s dog controversyThere will be particular focus on Zenit’s two Portuguese players, Bruno Alves and Danny, for differing reasons. The former is a big favourite at the Dragao, spending over ten years at the club and becoming captain. As for Danny, the Portugal international can expect a hot reception after he was accused of showing a lack of respect by opting for a “urinating dog celebration” after scoring against the Portuguese champions in St. Petersburg, an act Pereira described as “not at all natural”.
Zenit coach Luciano Spalletti leapt to Danny’s defence, saying: “I find it strange that so much has been said about this celebration. I find it strange that a coach of such a high quality as the Porto coach does not know Danny. He is a great player, but is also a great man. He has already explained that the celebration was linked to a dog he gave his children, who had urinated on the bed the previous day.”
As for the match itself, Spalletti says his team are ready for the challenge awaiting them. “There are no favourites for this game. Playing at the Dragao is a huge challenge. A draw is enough, but we’ll be playing to win. The team is in good shape and is motivated.”
Tom Kundert
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Unlike others I still believe Europa League is of high worth as it is full of teams that placed well in the past season that did not qualify for Champions League.. then you get some angry teams that were cut from the CL so it is always fun.
Besides the Big 8 teams in the world.. it is the most highly competitive competition.
I do believe though that Porto will get a result.. and it is not up to Hulk.. he is Brazilian so some games he will be on.. others he won't.. it is a team game.. and like Torpiano said it is the Team that will win the game.
I have full faith in the squad.. Manager still has to prove himself.. as the results have been erratic with almost the same team..
Good luck we have our fingers crossed.
If he plays well, then we have a great chance to win. If he doesn't show up, then it could be a lot more difficult.
I want to see more out of our other attacking players - they need to step up to the plate. In particular James, Djalma, Defour & Varela. Of course some of these have been playing a bit-part role this season and won't all play, but they have all been a bit disappointing. James perhaps the most surprising, given the fantastic talent he is and how he ended last season. I'm sure he'll improve as the season goes on, but tonight is do or die!!
Having said that, Zenit are a quality team, with a good coach and should really have already qualified by now had they managed to beat Apoel in the last match. A draw is good enough for them, so they have a good chance too. Should be a good match. Porto just have to go full throttle attack right from the start, there's no other way to approach it really.
On a side note... as far as I have seen, Porto's impressive DM Fernando has only played for Brasil's under-20's and continues to be over-looked by the senior Brasil seleccao. He has been 4 years in Portugal already, I think our federation must consider giving him the option to play for Portugal. We are a little short of quality players for defensive midfield at the moment and he'd be a great addition to the squad. I know a lot of people will read this and think "Oh we only want true Portuguese players in the squad"...but the reality has been and will continue to be, that rejected Brasileiro players who have ties to Portugal will eventually consider playing for our national team...so let's make sure we benefit from some good talent!!!
Zenit dont travel well (so far draw and loss) whereas Porto are starting to hit form and Hulk is in great form.
I think it will be a tough game but a comfortable win in the end for Porto
Steve
I don't care how. Just get it done.