Maccabi Tel Aviv heads to Porto for Match Day Three and The Sports Rabbi, Josh Halickman had the opportunity to speak to a few local journalists to learn about the Yellow-and-Blue’s Portuguese opponent.
Porto won the UEFA Champions League under current Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho back in 2004 along with a European Cup in 1987 and have consistently featured in the tournament year in and year out. This year’s edition has seen some drastic changes over last year Vasco Mota Pereira a freelance Portuguese football journalist says: “Many key players left this past summer, leaving gaping holes be
hind them. For now, it’s a bit hard to tell who the key players will be, but 18-year-old midfielder Ruben Neves and midfielder André André, who’s been absolutely on fire over the past few matches, combining good game reading, intense, purposeful running with an indomitable spirit will be very important to the club.”
Tom Kundert World Soccer Magazine Portugal Correspondent and creator of PortuGOAL.net agreed: “They are strongest in midfield, where Rúben Neves, has been outstanding with superb anticipation, decision-making, passing and ability to dictate the pace of games and has even worn the captain’s armband. His midfield partner André André has also been hugely impressive, earning a place in the starting line-up despite fierce competition.”
Both also added that Algerian winger Yacine Brahimi could be important, however, Simon Curtis Talksport Portuguese football expert explained: “Porto’s spine is strong, from the hugely experienced Iker Casillas in goal, through a tough centre back partnership of Marcano and Maicon, the latter of whom is now injured and set to be replaced by the slightly less reliable Martins-Indi.”
Curtis continued discussing the expectations for the coach and club this year: “Domestically, this side must win the league this season, otherwise coach Julen Lopetegui will be out of a job. They had the strongest squad last year and finished second and they have the strongest squad this year and must finish first.” Porto haven’t won their league title the last two seasons said Pereira: “The club is always expected to win the domestic league and it’s quite hard for any coach who doesn’t to remain at the helm. As for the Champions League, they are expected to at least progress from the group stage and take things as they go from there, knowing full well that it’s very hard to compete against Europe’s big sharks.”
Porto boss Lopetegui, a Spanish coach has changed up the club’s style of play says Kundert: “He has brought about a big change in Porto’s general philosoph
y, turning what has traditionally been a fast attacking and often counter-attacking team, into a side that plays more of a ball possession-based game. They can be quite predictable to watch at times, but the approach has proved excellent in Europe. Lopetegui has lost only 1 of 14 Champions League matches as Boss.”
Pereira concurred: “While FC Porto are not exactly what you’d call tiki-taka, there are some basic tenets that Lopetegui keeps from the Spanish school of thought. The team likes to keep the ball and immediately press high up when they lose it. Under Lopetegui, the style of play is rather predictable: the ball gets shuffled from side to side with the centre being hardly ever used on the last third of the pitch until wingers – or full-backs – have enough time and space to do their thing and create danger.”
There may also be a way to keep the side frustrated and contained Pereira concludes: “Any team that show Porto the centre and double up on the wings should go a long way to stifle the threat. Defensively, they can become extremely vulnerable when their opponents manage to bypass the aforementioned first phase of pressing.”
Porto of course will prepare for the Yellow-and-Blue’s visit to the Estadio Dragao says Curtis: “They will have done their homework. No opponent needs to be a surprise these days with the people and tools available.” Pereira went a step further: “The club have certainly done their scouting and doesn’t usually make the mistake of taking things for granted.” Kundert chimed in with this gem: “They will recognize Maccabi, especially because of Paulo Sousa’s recent success with the club.”
Of course Maccabi will have a number of traveling fans in Porto and a
ll three of the journalists say that they will very much enjoy themselves, Pereira explains: “Porto supporters are known to be some of the country’s most passionate, devoted to the team, to the cause and to the city.” Kundert also commented on the Porto supporters: “If things start going badly for the home side at the Estádio do Dragão then they are not afraid of voicing their disapproval. But given that Porto have a formidable home record, they are almost always in good voice.”
Curtis also was passionate about the atmosphere: “The main supporters group, the Superdragões are colourful, noisy and supportive, Champions League occasions bring out the best in them.”
Can Maccabi come away with a shock result? Pereira certainly thinks so: “The stadium can also go quiet for significant amounts of time in smaller matches and that might come in handy for the Israeli team, since those fickle supporters can quickly turn on the team and start booing and jeering if the result or the display don’t go their way.” Curtis agrees with this possibility: “If there are no goals by half time this may give Maccabi a glimmer of hope if the team and the fans ease off at the same time.”
