 |
 |
 |
| Sunday, 19 August 2012 20:01 |
Powerless Porto stalled again by defensive Gil VicenteThe Dragons were without answers for the well organised Gilistas Having seen Benfica and Braga both drop points in a 2-2 draw, Porto had the opportunity to begin their title defence by earning an advantage over both sides with a victory. Instead, a great defensive display from Gil Vicente was enough to earn a 0-0 draw against a one-minded and dull Porto side at the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos on Sunday afternoon.
Porto began the game with their two biggest stars inserted into the starting 11 as Hulk and João Moutinho replaced Christian Atsu and Steven Defour in the side. The change added some creativity and technical ability to the side but fans were still witness to a slow and methodical approach that resulted in the lion’s share of possession but nearly no goal-mouth opportunities.
In the 36th minute, the fans were finally given reason to cheer when Lucho González found the back of the net after a terrific cross from Eliquim Mangala. The Argentine’s effort was in vain thought, as he saw his goal correctly waved off for an offside infraction. Moments later, Hulk caused tremors in the Gil Vicente defence after a great run up the left flank nearly culminated in a goal. The Brazilian, however, failed to threaten Adriano and shot wide.
The first half ended without much of a peep from either side. The Barcelos side rarely crossed the midfield line in 45 minutes and Os Dragões could barely draw a save out of Adriano.
Pereira takes a gambleIf Pereira was analysing the match like a game of poker, his second-half options were equivalent to going all-in. The Porto manager replaced Fernando with Kléber and Mangala with Alex Sandro to give his side further attacking prowess.
Despite a few long-range efforts, it was the home side who were closest to scoring. A cross from the left found an unmarked Pedro Pereira on the penalty spot. When it looked like the Portuguese midfielder would open scoring, his shot scraped by the wrong side of the post and relieved a nervy Porto defence.
Porto continued to rely on long range efforts to test Adriano as Hulk, in his trademark style, picked up the ball on the right, dribbled into the middle, and unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards that stung the hands of the home side’s keeper.
After a quiet and uninspiring game, James Rodríguez was replaced by Atsu. The Ghanaian immediately made his presence felt, creating play on the left and whipping a cross in that Jackson Martínez headed above the bar. In the latter stages of the game, Jackson nearly repeated his last-gasp heroics from the Supertaca. A cross was floated into the box and the Colombian striker pounced on it, connecting with a header that nearly chipped Adriano. The keeper denied Porto’s striker with a stunning fingertip save from point-blank range. Despite their efforts, Porto paid the price for playing the entire match as if they had a 3-0 advantage. Gil Vicente have proudly taken four points from Porto in the last two years and continue to be a thorn in the side of Vitor Pereira’s men.
Last year’s champions have much work ahead of them if they are going to improve from Sunday’s lethargic display. They will have to find their form quickly if they want to avoid falling behind in their bid for the title as a difficult fixture against Guimarães is ahead of them next week.
Gil Vicente: Adriano Facchini, Daniel, Halisson, Cláudio e João Pedro; Luís Manuel, André Cunha e César Peixoto; Pedro Pereira (Leonardo, 64), Rafa Silva (Brito, 69) e Luís Carlos (Pecks, 90)
FC Porto: Helton; Miguel Lopes, Maicon, Otamendi e Mangala (Alex Sandro, 57); Fernando (Kléber, 57), João Moutinho e Lucho Gonzalez; Hulk, Jackson Martinez e James Rodríguez (Atsu, 71)
By Victor Ferreira |
I have been saying all along that Pereira is way out of his depth as Porto's manager. JJ might, rightly so, get killed but Pereira is no better.
Let me add, that should Porto lose Hulk, Moutinho, etc... They are in for a world of hurt. Everything becomes harder for them and I'm not so sure they can compete on all fronts.
Yes I want Benfica to win the league and go further in the CL, but I also want the Tripeiros to do well. If they crash, it's not good for our league.
Taking off Fernando and bringing Kléber on rather than someone creative, like Defour
Bringing on Atsu too late. James was poor yesterday and when Atsu came on he made an immediate impact as always
Starting Mangala at LB rather than Alex Sandro. Mangala is naturally a centre-back, so putting him at LB means that he offers very little attacking help, especially with James' poor performance yesterday.
And still, Vitor Pereira refuses to play Iturbe, it's getting to borderline ridiculous now
However, he did make a good decision in starting Miguel Lopes, he was very good yesterday, him along with Lucho and Hulk were our best performers