08/01/2012
Undefeated exit in the return to the starting base
 The champion did not win, but those waiting for the defeat will have to remain patient. And maybe even sit down while waiting. After returning to the starting base, where the last defeated happened, nearly two years ago, FC Porto is now 53 games without losing, an achievement that would be more notable if, in a most unfortunate event, Otamendi hadn’t stopped the winning shot of James.
The start of the match, even before there was enough time for the game to be competitive, was atypical. Understandably atypical. Played away, against one of the rivals, the Dragons found themselves in the situation of defending first, before being able to recover and putting the pressure on Rui Patrício.
It was a matter of minutes, just a few, before Hulk focusing attentions and capitalizing an interesting, yet unpleasant, number of fouls suffered, thanks to ruthless markings. In the balance of intentions and actions, which originated in too many errors for one pitch, the champion had the most dangerous attempts at goal.
The fir st real threat came with a header, which makes sense. 12 minutes in, Maicon planned it well, but didn’t execute as well, allowing the save by Patrício. But the danger was only cleared a few meters away, when Djalma gave the impression that he could have done better to pick up the spare.
Curiosly enough, the first header would be repeated a few minutes later, but in the other goal, with Helton saving a header by Polga. During the second-half, the captain of the White and Blue stopped, with his feet, a shot by van Wolfswinkel, in a time where Sporting resorted to the counter-attack to respond to the growing domination of FC Porto. Hulk was close to scoring after dribbling two opponents, but was unable to shoot the ball precisely.
James and Defour, who came in during the second-half, added speed and solutions in the offensive movement of the Dragons. In fact, the Colombian would have two great chances to score, but, most unfortunately, it would be Otamendi denying him of scoring on the second opportunity, ending  the best play of the entire match. And the game.
MATCH REPORT
Sporting-FC Porto, 0-0
Portuguese League, 14th fixture
7th of January 2012
Estádio de Alvalade, Lisbon
Attendance: 48.855
Referee: Pedro Proença (Lisbon)
Assistant referees: Tiago Trigo and Ricardo Santos
Fourth official: Hugo Miguel
SPORTING: Rui Patrício; João Pereira, Onyewu, Polga (cap.) and Insúa; Rodrigo Neto, Elias and Schaars; Carrillo, Van Wolfswinkel and Capel
Substitutions: Rodrigo Neto for Matias (54), Carrillo for Izmailov (62) and Capel for Evaldo (69)
Unused: Marcelo, Bojinov, Arias and Martins
Coach: Domingos Paciência
FC PORTO: Helton (cap.); Maicon, Rolando, Otamendi and Alvaro; Fernando, João Moutinho and Belluschi; Djalma, Hulk and Rodríguez
Substitutions: Djalma for James (59), Belluschi for Defour (68) and Rodríguez for Kléber (77)
Unused: Bracali, Mangala, Souza and Alex Sandro
Coach: Vítor Pereira
Yellow: Rodrigo Neto (2), João Moutinho (27), Otamendi (30), Carillo (45), Polga (47), Fernando (63), Hulk (67), Schaars (84) |
