Porto- Retaking Portugal

November minus that one game

We have two big Champions League games, a cup game and a league game in a quiet month due to an international break.

Stuttgart 0-1 Porto
View attachment 200586We get a massive away win that means we are one win away from qualifying top. We were second best but, we got the only goal another late winner against them. Rui Pedro was fed the ball wide and he looped a cross into Lozano who let it bounce and then powered it past the keeper.

Porto 3-0 Gil Vicente
View attachment 200584A convincing win in the league and we stay top. Cassama had us ahead after 13 minutes Zeca slipped him in and he rounded the keeper and scored a good goal. Lozano grabbed a goal after 40 minutes Yarmolenko hit him with a perfect pass with three players around him he got into the box and fired past the keeper. Lozano grabbed a second after 85 minutes to wrap up the game Yarmolenko crossed it in Lozano volleyed it onto the bar and the lifted the rebound over the keeper and in.

Taca de Portugal

Porto 1-2 Benfica
View attachment 200583
For the first time I fail to make it to the final as Benfica come back and knock us out. Luciano put us ahead after 22 minutes Firmino tackled a player in the box t fell to Luciano and he turned his man and smacked his effort into the top corner. Unsaveable. Ibarbo levelled 45 seconds after half time Gaitan beat a man and whipped in a cross that Ibarbo powerfully headed past the keeper. Gaitan grabbed the winner after 52 minutes an Ibarbo cross hit the bar and and Gaitan smacked in the rebound to knock us out. A disappointing exit.

Porto 2-0 Galatasaray
View attachment 200582The win qualifies us for the next round top of the group so we should get an easier draw. Luciano put us ahead after 7 minutes Yarmolenko passed to him he beat Semih and fired low past the keeper and in. Horta grabbed a late second goal, a great counter saw Lincoln pick him out in acres of space and he fired low and hard past the keeper to ensure the win. Cassama picked up an injury and will be out for 5-6 weeks

View attachment 200581
Confirmation of the Champions League qualificationView attachment 200579
Table

View attachment 200578
Still top with Vit. Guimaraes a surprising second place and Benfica down in sixth.

Champions League Group
View attachment 200575
We are top and still have Porto to play in what is effectively a dead rubber for us but, a must win for them. I will probably rotate the squad for the game.​
 
Great start to the season mate - are you targetting the Champions League this season?
 
Yeti01 said:
Great start to the season mate - are you targetting the Champions League this season?
Click to expand...

Thanks, not sure we may be 1 or 2 players away but, we may be able to with some luck minimum is a good performance in the semi final but, hopefully we get to the final
 
Definitely looks like you could really push for the CL with a bit of luck :)
 
PatrickLFC said:
Definitely looks like you could really push for the CL with a bit of luck :)
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Thanks, only concern I have is the lack of goals we have Luciano is the only one in double digits and no one else is that close
 
December Update

Four league games and a meaningless Champions League game in December as we look to consolidate our spot at the top of the league and wrap up the group stages with a win.

Arouca 0-2 Porto
View attachment 200501Lincoln grabbed a brace and we get a good win but, Yarmolenko was very poor. Lincoln scored after 23 minutes Yarmolenko was tackled outside the box and it fell to Lincoln and he smacked it first time past the diving keeper. Lincoln grabbed his second ten minutes later Lozano crossed in at the back post and Lincoln headed it in off the bar to grab a good second goal. Arouca went down to ten men with ten minutes left Patrick picked up his second yellow but, it was to late to have any real impact on the game.

Starting keeper Burki picked up an injury and will miss 2-3 weeks.View attachment 200499

Porto 3-0 Estoril
View attachment 200500Luciano grabbed a hat trick to give us the win and significantly add to his goal tally this season. Luciano opened the scoring after 3 minutes Herrera passed to Luciano just outside the ball and he fired low into the bottom corner a nice long range finish. He grabbed a second after 65 minutes Firmino slipped in Luciano and his first effort hit the post and he fired in the rebound. He wrapped up the hat trick after 80 minutes Herrera passed to Malcom out wide and he headed in Luciano and he half volleyed into the far post. A good Luciano hat trick gave us the win.

AS Monaco 3-2 Porto
View attachment 200498The reserves do a very good job in Monaco but, fall to defeat. Rui Pires had a very good game and will get more playing time while Suarez made some great saves. El Shaarawy put us behind after 28 minutes, Costa got free out wide and hit in a great cross that El Shaarawy volleyed in at the back post. Rui Pires got us level after 53 minutes after a broken down corner Mauri passed to Pires in the box and he swept it low and into the corner. Pires was then vital in us going ahead after 63 minutes Lazini passed to him 25 yards out and he fired a great first time effort into the post, Rui Pedro was on hand to fire in the rebound. Two minutes later Insigne levelled the game a corner was hit in Diarra headed it off of Costa and Insigne volleyed in the loose ball. Costa scored the winner, Vasquez hit a long ball forward Costa took a touch and absolutely hammered the ball into the top corner for a great goal.

View attachment 200497
Third choice striker Andre Silva will miss 2 moths from a shoulder injury.

Porto 4-1 Braga
View attachment 200496We get a resounding win over Braga to enhance our title credentials. Luciano had us ahead after six minutes Lincoln passed to Luciano and his shot went just wide of the keeper's outstretched arms. After 27 minutes Tiba got a straight red card for a two footed tackle on Luciano. Lincoln put us two up in first half extra time a twenty yard effort Horvarth could only push on the bar and it bounced over. Lozano made it three after 49 minutes Yarmolenko hit in a great low cross that swerved away from the defenders and Lozano volleyed it back across goal past the keeper. Braga pulled a goal back after 81 minutes a guy with a long name played in Niguez and he shot low past the keeper. Luciano grabbed a late goal to add to the scoreline he passed to Yarmolenko who's effort hit the post and Luciano fired in the rebound to give us a good win.

Rio Ave 1-1 Porto
View attachment 200494We get a disappointing draw with Rio Ave and drop two points. Malcom put us ahead after 64 minutes Herrera slipped him in and he cooly slotted past the keeper to give us the lead. Two minutes later we were level again, volleying a free kick in at the back post. A disappointing draw could Guimaraes take advantage and close the gap.

View attachment 200489
No they get hammered four nil by 10th place Maritimo so we actually extended our lead

Table
View attachment 200493We have a nice lead and should be able to maintain it for the rest of the season.

Champions League Group
View attachment 200492
We finish top of the group for the first time so should get a better draw but, Barcelona and Juve didn't win so we could get an awful draw

Champions League Draw
View attachment 200495We face Valencia in the round of sixteen who we knocked out of the Europa League at the same stage, can they get revenge, hopefully not.

View attachment 200491
Some tasty ties in the first round hopefully, we go through our round.

League Cup Draw
View attachment 200490
​
 
Looking very good in the League my friend best of luck in the two games against Valencia ! I did not expect Guimaraes to be so high in the table though!
 
kolas79 said:
Looking very good in the League my friend best of luck in the two games against Valencia ! I did not expect Guimaraes to be so high in the table though!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I think we should have enough to get past them but, who knows. Guimaraes are having a great season some decent cheap transfer not sure if they can keep it up but, hope they can to give another team some money
 
January Outgoings

Not to many players leave in January for a lot of players there was interest and peculation but, no bids that came in for them.

Vyacheslav Karavaev
View attachment 200353
The right back had bids from Man City and Arsenal turned down and is happy to stay here. We did talk after a bid but, he was easy to convince to stay which is good as he has been a rock at right back this year.

Ricardo Horta

Never played to often when he did he was good but, I couldn't play him often enough. We sell him for an initial loss but, if he meets some clauses we should make a decent profit. He goes to Villa for an initial 12 million.

Guiliano
View attachment 200350
Never settled in Portugal and was never happy so he goes back to Brazil to Corinthians for 11.75 million. We make a good profit on him for six months but, I would have rather had him happy and playing well.

Gianluca Simeone

Never impressed on loan so he is sold for a small profit to Mersin in Turkey. 3.5 million and we also made a bit off of his loan.

Antonio Duarte
View attachment 200349The very talented defensive mid courted interest from all over Europe from the big teams. He wants to go to Bayern but, they never made a second bid so he is still happy.
View attachment 200355
This was the biggest bid we got for him but, I'm not going to sell him for anything cheap and this is whyView attachment 200348
The ex-Braga player has great stats as for a 17 year old and can develop into a great player hopefully for us.​
 
Incoming Transfers

After a busy summer the January window was a quiet one. Not really 19 players join the club 17 of them on the opening day of the window.

Mohammed Al-Thagafi
View attachment 200267The Saudi striker joined from Al-Shabab (KSA). He can play up front as an AMC or a CM. He also has 14 caps for Saudi Arabia despite being 18 years old. He will spend this year with the Under 19's.

Lucianinho
View attachment 200260In what could become a recurring definition he is an 18 year old Brazilian. The young AMC with great potential joined from Palmeiras and will spend the rest of the season on loan at Ast. Tripolis in Greece to get first team football.

Alex
View attachment 200253
An 18 year old Brazilian Alex joined for 3.8 million, I really should have copied the first sentence from above. He was signed from Atletico Mineiro and has the potential to be an great left back. He will spend the year on loan at Santos.

Mehmet Akcay
View attachment 200251Signed from Galatasaray he is a young striker who has good potential. He cost 1.2 million and has gone to Anthorsi in Cyprus on loan for the season.

Aderllan Leandro
View attachment 200247
An 18 year old Brazilian Aderllan Leandro joined for 3.5 million making him different to the other two. He is also a product of Mineiro's academy and has a great future ahead of him. He will spend the year on loan at Chapecoense and at 18 has 16 finishing.

Alejandro da Silva
View attachment 200246The Uruguayan centre back cost 3 million to sign from Nacional, where in his first season he played three times with an average rating of 4.9 in the league. He excelled last season for them though and has good potential. He will spend the rest of the season on loan at Belenenses.

Lionel Laborda
View attachment 200245Signed on a free after his contract with Boca expired I signed him up and loaned him to Verioa and can hopefully move him on for a good fee.

Marcos Oviedo
View attachment 200242The young striker from River cost 3 million but, has very good potential and could be a very good player. He will stay in Porto with the B team this season.

Andrea Serra
View attachment 200241The balding 17 year old left winger cost 1.3 million to sign from Inter. He has good potential and awful hair. He will be with the U-19's this year.

Shin Tae-Won
View attachment 200239The central midfielder was signed from Jeonbuk for 150k, a very cheap fee for a player of his potential. He will spend the rest of this season on loan at Aris for first team football.

Tomas Conechny
View attachment 200232The twenty year old Argentinian striker signed from San Lorenzo for 3.3 million. He has good potential and returns to Argentina on loan to Independiente for the year

Ariel Gutierrez
View attachment 200231The 18 year old Argentinian can play as a CM, AMC, AMR and MR naturally. He has good potential and cost 2.3 million from River. He was loaned to Argentino's Jr for the year.

Matt Grimes
View attachment 200230Signed form Swansea for 500k I think there is a profit to be made in the Englishman. He will be with the B team for the rest of the season before I look to move him on.

Asier Nunez
View attachment 200229One of two signings from Baskonia, a B team for Bilbao. Nunez cost 2.3 million and has good potential as a CDM the 16 year old will be in the U-19 squad.

Urko Fernandez
View attachment 200226
The other Baskonia signing Fernandez set me back 3.5 million. The young striker will also be in the U-19 squad for the rest of the season.

Carlos Soler
View attachment 200224Probably won't cut it but, at 29.5k his loan fee means that a profit has already been made on him so I'm happy with the deal.

Diego Iza
View attachment 200220Iza was signed for 2.5 million from Villarreal B and is another young striker signed who will be with the under 19 team for the season.

Jarbas
View attachment 200219The defensive midfielder was signed from Bahia for 4.3 million he will be with the B team this year and pickedup a Hernia soon after joining. He has great passing, decisions and determination along with a good first touch as well.

Kleber
View attachment 200218Brought in on deadline day for 3.8 million the right back, who was listed at Flamengo, has decent potential and will be with the B team
​
 
January Update

We have our League cup group and five league games in January we haven't changed the squad much so there should be no teething issues.

League Cup Group

Atletico CP 1-4 Porto
View attachment 200036We open 2019 and the League cup with a good win over Atletico CP. Rui Pedro got us ahead after 7 minutes a corner was cleared to Maicon out wide and he crossed in to Rui Pedro who a errant player left onside and in miles of space and he took advantage volleying in at the back post. Verdasca headed in a Lozano corner after 55 minutes to put us two goals up. Rui Pedro grabbed a second three minutes later smacking a high and near the corner, unsaveable. After an hour Atletico pulled a goal back my loan player Helder Silva played in Lopez and he had a great finish that left Suarez no chance. Malcom wrapped up the win after 75 minutes heading a Horta free kick in from close range to give us a good win.

Porto 3-0 Tondela
View attachment 200035After Rui Pires got sent off in the 49th minute I was worried but, three goals gave us a convincing win. Yarmolenko got us ahead after 50 minutes sneding the keeper the wrong way from the spot. Herrera increased the lead after 67 minute he beat two men to get into the box and he fired low just inside the far post to give us some breathing room. Luciano killed the game off after 87 minutes Zeca hit in a low cross and Luciano hit a good low first time shot past the keeper. A good performance after we went down to ten men.

Belenenses 0-0 Porto
View attachment 200034We had 25 shots and ten on target but, none of them went in and we drop two points in the title race. None of the chances were great but, with all the shots I expect us to put one in.

Porto 1-1 Nacional da Madeira
View attachment 200033Another draw and we drop our first points at home in the league. Agra put us behind after 73 minutes Friesenbichler slipped in Agra and he fired low and hard past the keeper. Four minutes later Malcom had us level a good long passing move saw Yarmolenko hit a great long cross to the back post it hit Lozano and drifted slowy inches the wrong side of the line, but from a tight angle Malcom knocked it in to earn us a point as we hit a poor patch.

Porto 0-1 Benfica
View attachment 200032
We got FM'd Benfica had two shots on target and scored one after 9 minutes Tailisca got the winner heading in a Gaitan free kick from 8 yards out. We then proceed to miss clear chance after clear chance Lozano hit the post with a header from a Karavaev cross and Malcom wasn't in a position to score the rebound so cut it back to Luciano but, his shot from 4 yards out was somehow saved and Zeca fired that rebound into the lying down keeper before it was cleared. Three great chances all stopped. Maicon headed a corner across to Martins Indi and he close range volley was blocked on the line and cleared. Luciano had time and was in the clear with 3 minutes left but, his shot was tipped onto the bar. The final miss of many.

League Cup

Porto 3-1 Nacional da Madeira
View attachment 200031
We end our poor run with a win in the League Cup against Nacional. Bruno Fernandes got us ahead after 6 minutes Lozano cut in from out wide and passed to Fernandes his first shot was saved but, he fired in the rebound to get us ahead. Yarmolenk doubled the lead with a penalty firing the perfect penalty high into the corner. Rui Pedro grabbed the third goal just before half time Zeca slipped in Rui Pedro with a free kick and he fired it past the keeper and in. We let a goal in after Fantoni took the ball down and fired an unsaveable effort into the far corner from 25 yards out.

Boavista 2-3 Porto
View attachment 200030We get a first league win in three with a shall we say combative game. Lozano put us ahead after 11 minutes Pereyra slipped him in and his first shot was saved but, the rebound was easily fired in. Rui Pedro got another goal after 14 minutes Pereyra again slipped in Lozano and this time he squared to Rui Pedro who fired into an empty goal. 3 minutes later Rui Pedro grabbed his second Karavaev won the ball high up the pitch and a Yarmolenko cross was dropped by the keeper and Rui Pedro smacked in the loose ball. After 20 minutes Boavista pulled a goal back Jadson slipped in Serginho and he had a good low finish to make it 3-1. Then in a moment of youthful exuberance Rui Pires on a yellow slid in already on a yellow and didn't get the ball, this got us down to ten men after 32 minute. He will learn with experience and not make the mistakes again. Yalzalde cut our advantage to one after 61 minutes a crushing header that went in off the post. After 80 minutes Maicon tripped Serginho when he was in on goal to get a straight red card and put us down to ten men. Fortunately we held on for ten minutes to get a big win.

League Cup

Porto 2-0 Estoril
View attachment 200028
A win in the last game got us out of the group with 9 points from 9. Malcom scored after 74 minutes to give us the lead Rui Pedro beat a man and slipped him in and Malcom gave the keeper the eyes and fired the other way that the keeper dived. Rui Pedro grabbed an 82nd minute goal to wrap up top spot Rui Pedro was found in the box and his shot hit the post and went in.

Table
View attachment 200027We stay top and a 2 way tie on point for second place keeping it tight. We still have a good lead and I feel confident we can keep the lead and extend it
​
 
February Update

Some big league games and the first leg of our tie with Valencia, they have been poor in La Liga this year and sit in 14th.

Maritimo 0-1 Porto

View attachment 200021
A Lincoln goal is enough to get us the three points vs Maritimo in what is a tight game. Lincoln scored after 8 minutes Verdasca headed a Zeca corner down and Lincoln let it bounce and then fired it past the keeper and in. A solid defence ensured that we got the three points.

Porto 6-1 Chaves

View attachment 200019
Bruno Fernandes grabbed four goals to help us get an emphatic win over Chaves. He opened the scoring after 13 minutes Lincoln hit in a cross that Bruno took down and placed his effort low out of the keeper's reach. Mauri headed ina Zeca corner with a thundering header that left the keeper no chance. Chaves hit back after 35 minutes a textbook counter that Mitrita finished well. Bruno Fernandes grabbed his second with a well taken penalty. At half time Duarte came on to make his debut for Porto. 4 minutes after half time Fernandes finished his hat trick Luciano passed to him 25 yards out and he rifled a great effort into the very top corner that left the keeper rooted to the ground. After 56 minutes a second booking saw Chaves go down to ten men and give away a penalty. Bruno Fernandes again took it and again scored with a great penalty high and in the corner. Luciano grabbed a late goal beating a man on the counter to go in on goal and deftly chipping the keeper to score.

League Cup Semi Final

Porto (P)2-2 BenficaView attachment 200018We sneak past Benfica in the League Cup on penalties and will face P. Ferreira who upset Sporting in the final. We fell behind to a penalty after 9 minutes Guedes scored it. Yarmolenko levelled the game after 26 minutes Lincoln passed to him in the box and he fired high in off the bar. We fell behind again to a Diaz goal just after half time he was played in and despite getting a hand on the shot Burki couldn't keep it out. Yarmolenko again levelled the tie assisted by a poor back pass by a centre back he latched on to it and with the keeper way out of position trying to recieve the pass slotted into an empty goal. We scored all 5 of our penalties and Burki made a good save from a Salcedo spot kick to send us into the final.

Porto 2-1 Moreirense
View attachment 200017Rui Pedro grabs a late double to give us a win and him a pay rise as he is offered a new deal to stop interest. We fell behind after 59 minutes a nice counter ended with a good finish. Rui Pedro scored after 78 minutes Herrera headed a corner onto the post and Verdasca crossed the rebound in and Rui Pedro took the shot but, it was well saved but, he smacked in the rebound. Rui Pedro grabbed the winner the keeper was taking a free kick out wide the defender didn't move to the ball and Rui did so he grabbed it ran towards the empty goal and then passed it over the line to get us the three points.

Valencia 0-3 Porto

View attachment 200016We get a good win away to the Mestella and barring a major loss at home we are through. Yarmolenko put us ahead after 34 minutes Lincoln hit a great low cross between the defenders and the keeper and Yarmolenko arrived at the back post to tap in at the back post and put us ahead. A minute later Rui Pedro added to the lead Fernandes hit in a low cross and Pedro poked it in at the near post from close range. After 67 minutes Maicon got sent off for a second yellow card and put us in trouble. However, three minutes later Lincoln put us three goals ahead. Zeca found Lincoln in the box and he fired in at the far corner. A very solid first leg and we just have to be professional in the second leg.

Vit Guimaraes 1-0 Porto
View attachment 200015We were clearly second best and only some poor finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score close. Camora got sent off for a two footed tackle against Cengiz. A minute later we were behind a low finish from inside the box into the corner condemned us to defeat.

Table
View attachment 200014Wee still lead and impressively Guimaraes have maintained second place with another impressive month. It is a very tight table.

​Champions League Round of 16 Leg
View attachment 200013
Some surprising results in the first leg, Everton drew with Real Madrid as did Sparta Prague with Barcelona. Sporting also beat two time champions Man City two nil away from home​
 
March Update

Sporting and Valencia are the two big games this month and we also have a couple other league games.

Porto 1-0 Sporting
View attachment 199918After Sporting went down to ten men after 78 minutes we soon grabbed a well deserved winner. Walace picked up his second yellow card to give us a man advantage. After 80 minutes Luciano grabbed the winner Rui Pedro ran into the box and was tackled the loose ball fell to Luciano in front of an empty goal and he fired it in to give us a big three points.

Penafiel 1-0 Porto
View attachment 199917We lose a game we should have won as Penafiel score there only shot on target. We were behind after 15 minutes Luquinos hit in a good low cross that Roman tapped in at the back post. Our best chance was a penalty that the normally reliable Yarmolenko had saved, it was a great save. We had some good chances but, couldn't convert any of them.

Porto 4 (7-1) 1 Valencia
View attachment 199916We complete our win over Valencia with an emphatic win at home. Yarmolenko put us further ahead inside of 2 minutes Pires passed to him outside the box and he turned and curled and curled his shot past the keeper and in. Yarmolenko scored another goal four minutes later he passed across the pitch to Arana he took a touch and crossed in for Yarmolenko to tap in at the back post. After 46 minutes Martins Indi was sent off for tacking down a player who was in on goal and due to a lack of centre back's I went to three at the back. We went three up when Lincoln fired a powerful free kick that the keeper couldn't hold and Yarmolenko hit the loose ball from a tight angle the keeper parried the shot onto the post and it bounced of hit him and went in. After 66 minutes another free kick was hit in by Lincoln, Verdasca got underneath it and volleyed it past the keeper to give us a 7 goal lead on aggregate. Ljalic grabbed Valencia a late consolation hitting in a deflected shot from close range. We get a convincing win in the first knock out round.

Porto 2-1 P. Ferreira
View attachment 199915We get a close win over Pacos in a game that ended 10 on 10. Yarmolenko got us ahead after 12 minutes Rui Pedro passed to Yarmolenko and his first shot was saved but, he volleyed in the rebound to put us ahead. Rui Pedro scored the winner after 55 minutes volleying a Lozano cross in off the far post. Pacos pulled a goal back after 68 minutes Torassa scoring with a good header. Maicon then got sent off after 78 minutes harshly adjudged to have tripped Torassa when he was in on goal, he did trip him but, I feel that there were covering defenders. Two minutes later the numbers were even Willians hacking Rui Pedro down with two feet. A decent win but, another red card is concerning we have to try and keep 11 men on the pitch.

Gil Vicente 2-2 Porto
View attachment 199914Two late goals earn as a good point as we were playing poorly until the end. Ambrose had us behind after 30 minutes a textbook counter ended with Ambrose chipping Burki to put us behind. We fell a second goal behind two minutes after half time Parra arriving t the back post to volley ing a good cross. Rui Pedro got us back into the game after 75 minutes receiving the ball in the box with his back to goal turned and curling his effort past the dive of the keeper and inside the post. Luciano grabbed a ninetieth minute equaliser Herrera played him in with a long pass and Luciano controlled it and rolled his effort past the keeper and in to earn us a point.

Table
View attachment 199913Still top and Guimaraes are still keeping up in second place. We have a seven point lead with seven games left so I expect us to see the season out on top.

Champions League Knockout Scores
View attachment 199912All of the potential updates failed to occur and Bayern are the biggest team to go out at this stage.

Champions League Quarter Final
View attachment 199911
We face Man City, who beat us in the final, in the quarters. Also according to the description we are wealthy compared to Man City however, their transfer spending shows no sign of stopping.
Youth IntakeView attachment 199910
No one with great potential and likely none will make the first team.

Injury
View attachment 199909Karavaev broke his foot and will miss 4 months a big blow for us as he was having a great season as a right back but, will not feature until next season.
​
 
April Update

The City tie and the League Cup final means that this is a big month, we also have 3 games in the league as we look to win the league.

Porto 1-2 Arouca
View attachment 199844A 90+2 minute goal condemns us to defeat. We fell behind after 34 minutes Lucas Lima volleying in from a crossed free kick. Luciano levelled after 54 minutes Pereyra passed to him and his first time shot was past the keeper before he could react. As we pushed for a winner Arouca ruthlessly countered Bifulco passed to Patrick and he fired low past Burki.

Braga 4-5 Porto
View attachment 199843Rui Pedro scored a hat trick that included a 90th minute winner to help see us past Braga in a shoot out. Herrera got us ahead after 15 minutes he passed wide to Arana who hurdled a tackle and crossed in for Herrera to volley in from close range. Carlos levelled 3 minutes later a cross fell to him in the box and he took a touch and fired past Burki. Viudez had us behind after 27 minutes Roni hit a shot that was going well wide until Viudez headed it back on target and in. Rui Pedro equalised 3 minutes later Herrera played him in and Pedro fired over the keeper and in. Braga were ahead again after 40 minutes Carlos headed a corner right at Burki and he held it then dropped it at the feet of Gutierrez. Just after the hour Rui Pedro again levelled Luciano slipped him in and he rounded the keeper and then slotted in past the keeper. Two minutes later Gutierrez had us behind again controlling a free kick hurdling a tackle to get into the box and finishing it well. A minute later Luciano levelled Herrera passed to him in the box and he floated an effort that dipped just enough to get under the bar at the corner, a great finish. Rui Pedro finished off his hat trick and scored the winner very late on Verdasca of all people hitting in a grass cutter cross that Rui Pedro smacked low and hard into the bottom corner to give us the three points.

Porto 2-3 Man City
View attachment 199842Aguero grabbed a brace to condemn us to a close defeat but, we still have a fighting chance in the second leg. Ross Barkley opened the scoring after 25 minutes Aguero lay the ball off to him and Barkley smacked a great effort past Burki. Rui Pedro equalised after 50 minutes another Verdasca cross was poked on target by Rui Pedro, Hart pulled off a great save but, Rui Pedro then smashed the ball the other way to score. Aguero had us back behind 5 minutes later he played a 1-2 with De Bruyne and fired low past Burki from inside the box. Aguero grabbed his second after 70 minutes De Bruyne played him in and he curled an effort in at the back post. Luciano scored after 80 minutes to give us some hope Arana crossed in and his effort hit off of the back of Galloway and onto Otamendi the ball rolled to Luciano a foot out and behind Hart and Luciano tapped it in.

Portuguese League Cup Final

Porto 3-1 P. Ferreira
View attachment 199841Despite going behind early on we claimed the League Cup with a good win. Olascuaga had us behind after 12 minutes a nice effort from the edge of the box that beat Burki, a decent strike. Lozano levelled after 22 minutes Lincoln passed to him and Lozano hit a great low strike at the near post that left the keeper no chance. Rui Pedro got us ahead just before half time heading a Rui Pires pass to himself taking a touch and then shooting past the keeper. Rui Pedro gave us some breathing room after 52 minutes Zeca crossed to him and Rui Pedro's header hit off a defender and fell back to him and with the keeper having already dived the other way Rui Pedro scored simple tap in to give us the trophy. Rui Pedro won top scorer and most MOM awards a good tournament.

Man. City 0 (3-6) 4 Porto
View attachment 199840With Joe Hart injured and Kompany banned we took advantage as Luciano bagged a hat trick to put us into the semi final. We rode our luck a bit as Aguero was oddly poor in front of goal but, we took advantage of City having Foderingham as the keeper to win. Luciano had us one up after 34 minutes Rui Pedro hit in a low cross that Luciano hit in at the back post. Just after half time Luciano had us ahead on aggregate an Arana cross was cleared onto Luciano and bounced past Foderingham and in. Rui Pedro grabbed his twentieth goal of the season after 65 minutes Lozano chipped in a pass to Rui Pedro and he took it down and fired in. Luciano grabbed the icing on the cake after 76 minutes smashing a 20 yard shot past the keeper to see us into the semi final draw.

Estoril 0-5 Porto
View attachment 199839We have found our shooting boots as we were 5 up after 36 minutes. However, we have lost Lincoln for the season to a torn calf. Lincoln had us up after 5 minutes Rui Pedro slipped him in and his finish was great and left the keeper no chance. Rui Pedro had us two up 20 minutes in smacking in an Arana cross. Lincoln grabbed his second after 30 minutes Rui Pedro was slipped in but, squared to Lincoln who fired into an empty goal. Two minutes later Rui Pedro has his brace Shongwe played him in and his shot had two much power for the keeper who couldn't stop it despite getting a hand to him. Maicon grabbed the last goal after 36 minutes Martins Indi flicked on a corner and Maicon volleyed it in at the back post for his first goal since rejoining Porto.

View attachment 199838
This is the quality player that we will be missing

View attachment 199837

Table

View attachment 199836
We have a four point lead and Guimaraes could push Benfica into the Europa League while Nacional da Madeira could make the Europa League

Champions League Draw
View attachment 199835We face Barcelona in the Semi Final we haven't had them in the Champions League for a couple of years. Chelsea Real is the other tie. Babacar got the winner for Chelsea vs Juventus so maybe he wasn't such a bad signing.

View attachment 199834​
 
Great job in for overtaking Man City ! Your team has great quality and proved that in the second game in Engalnd! Hope they 'll do the same with Barca !!
 
kolas79 said:
Great job in for overtaking Man City ! Your team has great quality and proved that in the second game in Engalnd! Hope they 'll do the same with Barca !!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Barca have some quality but, they are no longer a young team so hopefully a long season catches up to them
 
Rio Ave vs Porto

If we beat somewhat bogey team Rio Ave on Friday, then Sporting fail to beat last place Chaves on Saturday and Guimaraes lose to Maritimo on Sunday then we will have the title officially.

Porto 2-1 Rio Ave
View attachment 199735We comeback to do the first of three things needed for the title. Teixeira had us behind after 11 minutes Denilson hit a great pass to him and Teixiera smacked a low hard shot into the bottom corner. Lozano had us level five minutes later, Yarmolenko hit in a cross that was headed away to Rui Pedro who volleyed a pass to Lozano who volleyed in past the keeper. Luciano passed to Lozano in the box and he was tripped in the box to give us a penalty, the reliable Yarmolenko stepped up and he fired his penalty into the top corner, unsaveable despite a great dive by the keeper.

Saturday

Sporting 0-0 Chaves

Despite being down to nine men in the end Chaves held on for a big point for them but, a bigger 2 points dropped by Sporting.

If Maritimo win we have the title

Sunday

Vit. Guimaraes 1-2 Maritimo

Maritimo have a good comeback to give us the win Bonatini and Ernando grabbed the big goals.


That meant one thing

Champions!!!!

View attachment 199733A fourth straight title and we close in on Benfica's all time record of 34 as we are on 31 now.

View attachment 199732
Four in a row is a great success and we have a chance to tie the all time record of title's in a row of 5

Table
View attachment 199730All very close behind us especially for Europe.

Up next Barcelona leg 1​
 
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