27/07/2010
FC Porto-Sampdoria, 2-1: The birthday boys assured the celebrations
 Goals by Fernando and Hulk (in the latter case, a super goal!) allowed FC Porto to beat Sampdoria by 2-1 in a game where the new season’s squad was presented to the club’s members. Interestingly, the two birthday boys in the team scored both goals: Fernando (now 23 years old) and Hulk (24 years old).
 Photos of the party Photos of the game
In the case of the midfielder, which scored thanks to João Moutinho’s precise assist, it was his first goal for the team. In Hulk’s case, it was a super goal. The Brazilian controlled the ball on the right, took possession, looked at the goal and fired a 'bomb' with his left foot. Curci, the goalkeeper, could do nothing...
We started off by talking about goals, but at this stage of the season, it is even more important to validate that FC Porto is in fact gaining pace and is starting up. Throughout the f irst half, FC Porto clearly dominated the game: the team rapidly exchanged the ball, ensured good blending and placed immediate pressure on the Italians when they held ball possession.
The two goals were scored one after the other (at the 21st and 24th minute respectively) and reinforced FC Porto’s great football. The opponents scored at the 27th minute through a penalty but this didn’t seem to dampen the spirits of almost 40,000 spectators at the stadium. By half-time, the ever restless Hulk had threatened to increase the score on two occasions.
In the second half, the pace was naturally inferior, owing to the substitutions and the heat that was felt in the afternoon / evening at the stadium. Even so, FC Porto controlled the game, creating several scoring opportunities, thus bestowing Sampdoria (ranked fourth last season in Italy) with a supporting role in the game.
Falcão deserved to score and had two chances of doing so. Fernando and Belluschi were also close to increasing the score to 3-1 and James showed good technique. Lest we forget Varela’s return, after the injury suffered in March, and so, it may be said that the ‘congratulations’ heard, coming from the stands, should not only be dedicated to the two birthday boys, but extended to the whole team.
MA TCH STATISTICS
FC Porto-Sampdoria, 2-1
Official 2010/11 Season Presentation
25 July 2010
Estádio do Dragão, Porto
Spectators: 39.425 spectators
Referee: Jorge Sousa (AF Porto)
Assistant Referees: José Ramalho e José Luís Melo
4th Referee: João Lamares
FC PORTO: Helton; Miguel Lopes, Rolando, Maicon and Rafa; Fernando, João Moutinho and Rúben Micael; Hulk, Falcao «cap» and Rodríguez
Substitutions: Helton by Beto (46m), Rolando by Sereno (46m), Belluischi by João Moutinho (46m), Rodríguez by James (46m), Miguel Lopes by Sapunaru (64m), Rúben Micael by Souza (64m), Hulk by Varela (64m), Fernando by Castro (75m) and Falcão by Ukra (80m)
Didn’t play: Kieszek, Bruno Alves, Raul Meireles and Tomás Costa
Coach: André Villas-Boas
SAMPDORIA: Curci; Stankevicus, Gastaldello, Lucchini and Accardi; Poli, Mannini, Dessena and Koman; Cassano «cap» and Pozzi
Substitutions: Accardi by Cacciatore (8m), Poli by Volta (64m), Mannini by Tissone (64m), Pozzi by Marilungo (64m), Stankevicius by Rossini (75m), Cassano by Foti (75m), Dessena by Obiang (86m) and Mannini by Bianco (86m)
Didn’t play: Fiorillo
Coach: Domenico di Carlo
At half-time: 2-1
Scorers: Fernando (21m), Hulk (24m) and Cassano (penalty, 27m)
Cards: Yellow card to Mannini (20m), Hulk (39m) and Gastaldello (85m) |
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