19/01/2012
Varela solved it
 From the Dragão to the semi-finals is just one small step, to be confirmed on the third and final leg of Group D, against Setúbal. On the second leg, before Estoril, a goal by Varela solved the equation, with a simple result, obvious and economic (1-0), but more than enough to assume the pole position, which gives a privileged opportunity to qualify for the last rounds of the League Cup.
The first-half meant, above all, hard work. The game occurred in a single direction, as expected, but in what appeared a traffic jam. And on this particular subject, the main responsible is Estoril, and its coach, to be more precise, as he set an ultra-defensive tactic at Dragão, relieving only Carlos Eduardo from the defensive barrier disposed in front of the white and blue.
Beating that Wall, of considerable movability, was the first problem FC Porto had to solve, something that wasn’t always possible to do in more practical ways, which is what the opponent intended, to a point where it seemed they had nothing else in mind, despite the shy display of a few counter-attacks.
With difficulty and a lot of patience, FC Porto did get to the opponent’s goal, but rarely with danger and always with Moutinho as the main protagonist, trying from a free-kick and a header, the most obvious goal situations; curiously, with only one minute in between them, in the 37th and the 38th.
The half-time was a break, a mere formality that preceded more of the same. But in a faster variant, that brought the champions close to the goal on the first minute, with Kléber doing everything well, but allowing the save by Vagner, with his feet and by pure reflex, when he was turning to face the striker, after a cross by Alvaro, from the left.
The goal was definitely a matter of time, solved 65 minutes in, in a placed shot by Varela, after the individual work in order considering the effort put on by Alvaro. All became simpler, but little or nothing changed, apart from the result and the growing influence of the Uruguayan defender in the offensive plays.
James and Iturbe build on the opportunities list, but with no practical effects, in a time when Estoril was trying to get into the match. But it was already too late to attempt something that was so denied until then. FC Porto, who, hours before, took advantage of the vic tory of Paços de Ferreira over Setúbal, assumed the lead of Group D and was one tie away from reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup.
MATCH REPORT
FC Porto-Estoril, 1-0
League Cup, Group D, second leg
18th January 2012
Estádio do Dragão, Porto
Attendance: 15.819
Referee: André Gralha (Santarém)
Assistant Referees: Bruno Silva and Pedro Neves
Fourth official: Rui Patrício
FC PORTO: Bracali; Maicon, Otamendi, Mangala and Alvaro; Souza, João Moutinho (cap.) and Defour; Varela, Kléber and James
Substitutions: Souza for Rodríguez (66), James for Belluschi (73), Defour for Iturbe (78)
Unused: Kadu, Fernando, Tiago Ferreira and Vion
Coach: Vítor Pereira
ESTORIL: Vagner (cap.); Moreno, Bruno Nascimento, Steven Vitória and Tinoco; Erick, Bruno di Paula and Diogo Amado; Moreira, Carlos Eduardo and Gerso
Substitutions: Bruno di Paula for Licá (60), Tino for Anderson Luís (67), Carlos Eduardo for Adilson (74)
Unused: Mário Matos, Rodrigo Dantas, Gonçalo and Alexandre Hauw
Coach: Fabiano Soares
At half-time: 0-0
Scorers: Varela (65)
Yellow cards: Moreno (36), Otamendi (54), Diogo Amado (61), Tinoco (62), Souza (63), Adilson (76) and Gerso (86). |
