José Coelho / Lusa
Porto went into the game in Famalicão knowing that a victory would put the team on the same 33 points as leaders Sporting. However, the final draw instead puts the team in third place, level with Benfica but at a disadvantage in head-to-head and goals.
“Fama” scored in the only opportunity that they had in the first half, the “dragon” reacted well in the second half and even turned the score around, but football is a box of surprises.
It almost only took place in Porto in the first half. Lots of ball, crosses (14 in the first half, half of them effective), actions in the opposite area, but the “dragon” failed in the most important aspect, in the effectiveness of the shot, adding only one out of eight.
On the contrary, Famalicão made good on what was its only real opportunity, with Óscar Aranda taking advantage of an incomplete defense by Diogo Costa to score the only goal of the opening stage.
Porto started the second half with a bangwith Samu tying the match in the 52nd minute. Famalicão was having a lot of difficulty getting out and stopping Porto’s speed and good combinations, but then came the move that marked the match.
Galen gave Samu the possibility to turn the score around and achieved it, however, After review by VAR, the referee canceled the Spaniard’s double thanks to Pepê’s arm in the area a few moments earlier.
A few minutes later, a penalty for Famalicão that could put the Minho team back in front of the result; although, Aranda allowed Diogo Costa to save and everything stayed the same: 1-1.
The Game in 5 Facts
1. Cruising in search of happiness
This is what Porto did. The “dragons” used crosses as a way to score goals, finishing with 22 (9 effective), a new team record in the championship, well above the average of 12 per game so far.
2. Two records in a row
Last day we talked about the “attitude” of the Porto players, who set a new maximum number of individual duels won (60) against Casa Pia. In Famalicão, the “dragons” maintained their lead and once again set the highest number of duels won, this time with 62.
3. Missing “Dragon”
Another proof of this Porto “attitude” was the number of fouls that the “blue and whites” committed in this match. In total there were 19, a new record for the team in the League, when the average was around 14 per challenge. Eustaquio scored six and equaled the most by a player in a single game.
4. Porto conquers Minho area
The pressure from Porto was constant and this fact led to a high number of actions with the ball in the opposite area, a total of 40. In comparison, Famalicão did not exceed six at the other end of the field.
5. Porto pressure
The almost unique meaning of the game is also evident in the number of defensive actions in the opposite midfield. Porto pressed hard and accumulated 20, against seven for “Fama”.
Best of the Field
The blue and white central Octavio He was fundamental in this match, largely due to his great speed, which allowed him to nullify poisonous counterattacks by Famalicão.
The Brazilian was the best on the field, with two passes for finishing, 92% delivery efficiency, 13 progressive passes (maximum), the highest value of actions with the ball (96), two defensive aerial duels won in four, nine recoveries of possession (highest value), three interceptions and a decisive cut.
Summary
