What: UEFA Champions League, Quarter Final Second Leg (2-2)
Who: Porto vs. Manchester United
When: Wednesday, 15th April 19:45 BST
Where: Estádio do Dragão, Porto
Apr 14, 2009 11:45:43 AM
Dragão’s DenAfter a magnificent performance in Manchester, Porto are just 90 minutes away from sealing a place in the UEFA Champions League semi finals.
It wasn’t meant to be this way. Written off from all quarters, the Portuguese were cast as the sacrificial lamb in Manchester United’s quest to retain their European trophy.
Mariano Gonzalez’s last minute intervention put paid to that talk, as the Argentine’s strike sealed a well deserved 2-2 draw.
Frankly, the result flattered their glamorous hosts as the Dragões completely dominated proceedings. With a formidable home record and two invaluable away goals in their back pocket, it’s hard to predict anything but a repeat show.
The Azuis e Brancos were at their ruthless best at the Estádio do Dragão once again on Saturday. Mid-table Estrela Amadora were dismissed 3-0 to tighten their grip on top spot in the Portuguese Liga.
Head coach Jesualdo Ferreira even took the opportunity to leave man of the match from the first leg Fernando on the bench, limit Raúl Meireles, Hulk and Christian Rodriguez to just 45 minutes of action and leave star striker Lisandro Lopez out of the squad entirely.
After the hard work at Old Trafford, Ferreira will be keen to prevent complacency seeping into his players who know if they avoid defeat in all probability they are through.
Ukrainian whipping boys Dynamo Kiev's 1-0 victory in October is a stark reminder that they are not infallible. The bombastic Porto fans will make sure the team won't slip up again.
History Boys
Outplayed, outfought and with history against them, the dream of a second successive Champions League trophy is slipping away for Manchester United.
A month ago, they were strolling to European and domestic glory. Thumped by Liverpool, rocked by Fulham and shocked by Porto since, the trophy room might not be getting any new additions come the end of May after all.
No English team has ever beaten the Dragões on their home patch, but this is the result the Mancunians will most likely need to achieve after the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.
Never mind the doom and gloom, Reds manager Sir Alex Ferguson will see the trip to Portugal as the challenge his players need.
After a shaky pair of wins in the Premier League which required the introduction of the prodigal Federico Macheda to be sealed, the Scot will demand that his big guns start firing again.
Rio Ferdinand has returned to the fold after shaking off a groin injury. The experience of fellow PFA Player of the Year nominees Edwin Van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo could prove essential in navigating the team through this tricky test.
Ferguson will also call on memories of European hurdles that have been mounted before. In 1999, his side recovered from a 2-0 deficit at Juventus to claim the club’s first victory on Italian soil (3-2).
Manchester United still have everything to do in the current tie, but history shows it’s foolish to write off the Reds.
FORM GUIDE
Porto:
11th April vs. Estrela Amadora (H) won 3-0 (LIGA)
7th April vs. Manchester United (A) drew 2-2 (CHAMP LG)
4th April vs. Guimares (A) won 3-1 (LIGA)
15th March vs. Naval 1º Maio (H) won 2-0 (LIGA)
11th March vs. Atlético Madrid (H) drew 0-0 (CHAMP LG)
Manchester United:
7th April vs. Porto (H) drew 2-2 (CHAMP LG)
5th April vs. Aston Villa (H) won 3-2 (PREM)
21st March vs. Fulham (A) lost 2-0 (PREM)
14th March vs. Liverpool (H) lost 4-1 (PREM)
11th March vs. Internazionale (H) won 2-0 (CHAMP LG)
TEAM NEWS
Porto:
Jesualdo Ferreira is still without Uruguayan defender Jorge Fucile (ankle), left back Nelson Benítez (groin) and club captain Pedro Emanuel (knee) for the visit of the European champions.
Argentine hot shot Lisandro López returns to the squad after being rested for the weekend’s action.
Last starting XI (vs. Estrela Amadora): Helton, Sapunaru, Cissokho, Alves, Rolando, Mariano González, Madrid, Lucho González (Sektioui 67), Raúl Meireles (Guarin 45), Rodriguez (Hulk 45), Farias.
Subs not used: Rabiola, Nuno, Fernando, Stepanov.
Squad: Helton, Nuno, Bruno Alves, Cissokho, Rolando, Sapunaru, Stepanov, Madrid, Fernando, Lucho González, Mariano González, Meireles, Guarin, Costa, Farias, López, Hulk, Rodriguez, Sektioui.
Possible starting XI: Helton, Sapunaru, Cissokho, Alves, Rolando, Raúl Meireles, Lucho González, Fernando, Lisandro López, Hulk, Rodriguez.
Manchester United:
The sight of centre back Rio Ferdinand boarding the plane to Portugal has lifted the spirits of Manchester United supporters considerably.
Ferdinand was joined by recent injury victims Anderson, Rafael da Silva and Dimitar Berbatov. Wes Brown (foot) and Owen Hargreaves (knee) remain in Manchester.
Last starting XI (vs. Sunderland): Foster, Neville, Evans, Vidic, O'Shea, Park (Ronaldo 69), Carrick, Scholes, Rooney, Berbatov (Macheda 75), Tevez (Anderson 82).
Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Evra, Giggs, Nani.
Squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael, Fabio, O'Shea, J. Evans, Ronaldo, Anderson, Scholes, Gibson, Carrick, Park, Nani, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov, Macheda.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar, Evra, O’Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Anderson, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Giggs, Berbatov, Rooney.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Porto: Few people outside of Porto had heard of Fernando before last week, but all that has changed now. The young Brazilian was immense at Old Trafford, helping the Portuguese dominate the midfield. If he can squeeze the life out of Manchester United again, then the semi final stage beckons.
Manchester United: Question marks still hang over Dimitar Berbatov. The £30.75 million man hasn’t hit the heights expected of him since his summer move. A match-winning performance in Portugal will go a long way towards convincing a sceptical Old Trafford support that the Bulgarian is the striker to fire the team towards Rome.
PREDICTION
History is against Manchester United, but it’s impossible to discount Sir Alex Ferguson’s men from performing another miracle.
Progression to the semi finals would be just reward for Porto after a near flawless first leg performance, but football is rarely that kind.
Porto 1-2 Manchester United
Matt Monaghan
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/174/uefa-champions-league/2009/04/14/1209046/champions-league-preview-porto-manchester-united
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