Porto Warm Up For Arsenal Tie With Convincing Victory
|Porto got back to winning ways in the league by beating Pacos de Ferreira 2-0 Friday night with goals by Raul Meireles after a great assist from Lisandro Lopez (pictured above, right), and Hulk after being set up by man-of-the-match Meireles.
Jesualdo Ferreira decided to rest star man Lucho Gonzalez ahead of the Champions League clash against Arsenal in the middle of next week and replaced him with fellow Argentine Tomas Costa.
The start of the game saw a strong Porto with fast passes create several goal chances, and it was no surprise when Meireles opened the scoring with an emphatic finish after some excellent wing play from Lisandro.
Meireles did his best to return the favour shortly afterwards but the Argentine striker fired wastefully over the bar when put clean through by the midfielder. The first half was the story of Porto domination against a Pacos de Ferreira team lacking creativity.
In the 2nd half Pacos came out with a different attitude and created some dangerous situations, with Helton doing well to save a Ricardo effort.
Jesualdo did not like what he saw and made 2 substitutions, entering Guarin and Candeias for Sapunaru and Farias.
Later on the Porto coach replaced Lisandro with Brazilian striker Hulk, and the forward made the game safe by scoring his second goal of the season after a neat interchange with Meireles.
Arsenal will have their work cut out on Tuesday evening, as Jesualdo Ferreira’s side look to captalise on the Gunners’ defeat at Premier League newcomers Hull City, with what would be a marvellous Champions League scalp.
With thanks to Portugoal.net
Even without Quaresma they are still strong team.We must be carefull and not make the same mistakes we made against Hull.
Don’t think we’ll have a problem, it is at home isn’t it? Hopefully Djourou comes in for Gallas..
When is Nasri fit?
He’ll be assessed tomorrow. It’s unlikely that he’ll be included in the squad.
Lucho, their captain, is a fantastic striker of the ball and scored a volley against Fernabache to prove it. If the porto staff watched yesterdays debacle, which they are likely to have, then they will no doubt be telling him to shoot on sight. With no defensive midfielder on our side Lucho will prob be left to shoot all day long.
We need to beat them at home because their home record is amazing. I think they havent lost at home in a long while. Its obvious that something needs to chance in terms of our team.
Although i didnt think it would work, the Bendtner/Ade partnership worked well against Bolton. Ade and Rvp are way off form and Gallas is, and has always been, a wanker so i defo wouldnt start him. I’ld play:
Almunia
Sagna – Kolo(?) – JD – Clichy
Wilshere(?) – Song – Cesc – Nasri
Vela – Bendtner.
Wilshere because i hate Eboue and vela/nik because they are on top form.
I chose Nasri because he was supposed to be fit for yesterday but wasn’t. Im hoping he makes the team.
but knowing Wenger we will keep Captain crap, Ade and eboue….oh and Walcott too.
Nothing wrong with theo.. He’s been our best player this season.
We need Nasri, I hope he will be fit for Tuesday or on Saturday.
Wenger said former that Nasri should be fit for Hull City, but probably it delays a few days.