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| Tuesday, 15 September 2009 21:05 |
FC Porto suffer slim defeatChelsea 1-0 FC Porto It was not the start they were hoping for, but FC Porto opened their 2009/10 Champions League campaign with a 1-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Despite a spirited effort by the Portuguese outfit, a lone Nicolas Anelka goal was all that separated the two sides.
Jesualdo Ferreira set his side up in a 4-3-3 system, with three changes made from the weekend win over Leixoes. Freddy Guarin was drafted into the midfield in place of Fernando Belluschi, while Cristian Rodriguez and Mariano Gonzalez were deployed in the wide areas in support of Hulk, with Silvestre Varela and Falcao dropping to the bench. The Portuguese champions made an imposing start at Stamford Bridge, and would go on to stand toe-to-toe with Chelsea for much of the encounter on a rainy evening in London, but the defeat was compounded by the late sending off of Fernando for two bookable offences in the closing minutes. One of the visitors’ most impressive performers on the night was goalkeeper Helton, who was first called into action early on to deny Frank Lampard. At the other end, Hulk responded by testing Blues ‘keeper Petr Cech with a forceful low drive from distance. Both teams threatened before the break, with Lampard again drawing a save from Helton, before Rodriguez pulled his shot wide of the far post and Guarin, who had impressed in midfield for the Dragons, headed over from Raul Meireles’ cross just before the interval. The game’s crucial moment arrived less than three minutes after the re-start, with the home side taking the lead. A rare moment of uncertainty in the Porto backline allowed Anelka to run clear through on goal, with Helton doing well to deny the Frenchman, but helpless as Anelka rifled in the rebound. Porto were caused problems by the forward runs of Chelsea full-back Ivanovic, and the Serbian crossed for Kalou shortly after the opening goal, but the Ivorian forward’s header was saved quite superbly by Helton. From the resulting corner, Ivanovic headed just over as Chelsea looked to put the game to bed. Ferreira threw on both Falcao and Varela during the second period in place of Mariano and Rodriguez respectively, and a quick break saw Guarin denied by Cech from a tight angle as Porto upped the pressure on the hosts in the last twenty minutes. Falcao managed to get an effort on target but could not beat Chelsea’s Czech goalkeeper, while Varela’s half-volley was also pushed away and Hulk hammered his shot into the side netting from a difficult angle as Porto enjoyed several promising situations but could not breach the Chelsea goal. Frustration from their inability to find an equaliser resulted in Fernando receiving his marching orders in stoppage time for a hopeless lunge on Ashley Cole. The Brazilian, who was already on a yellow card, was dismissed and will miss his side’s next match at home to Atletico Madrid, who were held to a 0-0 draw by APOEL in the group’s other match. Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Carvalho,Terry, Cole, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Kalou (Belletti, 77), Anelka.Yellow Cards: Essien (15), Malouda (18) FC Porto: Helton, Fucile, Rolando, Alves, Pereira, Fernando, Meireles, Guarin, Mariano (Falcao, 54), Rodriguez (Varela, 64), Hulk.Yellow Cards: Fernando, 78 & 90 Red Cards: Fernando, 90 Goals: [1-0] Anelka, 48’ |
I see Chelsea and Porto passing
1 Goals Scored 0
6 Shots In 7
9 Shots Out 9
6 Shots intercepted 2
2 Yellow Cards 2
0 Red Cards 1
16 Fouls Committed 21
7 Corners 4
2 Offsides 1
32' 4'' Ball Possession (tempo) 29' 16''
52% Ball Possessuin (%) 48%
That's true that Chelsea didn't play with Drogba and Bosingwa (suspended) but they are on of the best european teams, first at the Premier League only with victories. But just check this stats from UEFA site and you can achieve the conclusion of a tought match.
At the first half, Porto played in counter attack and sometimes played a little bit confused, forced by Chelsea speed and pression. After Anelka goal, the team grew up and at the finish, Ancelotti was forced to substitue a forward (Kalou) to put another defense (Belleti) because of Porto's offensive pression. It was a sinal of a lot of respect for Porto by Ancelotti.
I think that Jesualdo did very well with Guarín on eleven, alongside with Meireles, he did an excellent match. I don't understand why Mariano plays, he looks like a fool running all around and forgetting the ball behind when he starts running. The team won much more with the entrance of Falcao.
But winners aren't made only by good exhibitions, we must materialize it and I believe on this Porto.
Good luck also to the others portuguese teams on european competitions.
viva porto!