Rio Ave frustrates Porto with a nil draw
By: j | September 21st, 2008Jesualdo Ferreira was frustrated by the defensive wall of Rio Ave but after watching them shut down Porto in a 0-0 draw, as well as their opening 1-1 draw with Benfica, I think they will do the same with many clubs. While Porto had a number of reasonable scoring opportunities, breaking through the last line of defense was not to be. Rio made it extremely difficult for Porto, stacking and packing the midfield and looking to steal a victory on the counter but never losing track of their defensive mission. Porto had a least six chances to break the deadlock after the break; Bruno Alves (59′), Lisandro López (63′, 69′ and 89′), Lucho González (73′) and Cristian Săpunaru (75′). but each ended empty-handed. As someone who appreciates disciplined play and good marking fundamentals, I have to hand it to Rio Ave’s manager João Eusébio as his club played tremendously and resisted all of Porto’s challenges. However from Porto’s strict vantage, they cannot allow points in matches such as these getaway if they are to repeat as Champions.
Rio Ave: Paiva; Miguel Lopes, Gaspar, Bruno Mendes e Sílvio; André Vilas Boas, Niquinha (André Carvalhas 92′), Livramento (Tarantini 65′) e Delson; Chidi (Semedo 70′) , Evandro
Not used: Mora; Jorge Humberto, Wires , Ronaldo
F.C. Porto: Helton; Cristian Săpunaru, Rolando, Bruno Alves – Jorge Fucile (Lino 60′); Fernando, Lucho González – Raul Raul Meireles (Candeias 78′); Mariano González (Hulk 60′), Lisandro López – Cristian Rodríguez
Not used: Nuno; Pedro Emanuel, Farías , Tomás Costa
Category: Porto Team News
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