Manuel Fernando Araújo / Lusa
Porto’s resounding 4-0 victory in the Invicta classic. The “dragons” will sleep in the lead, waiting for the result of the Lisbon classic between Benfica and Sporting, this Sunday.
After a first half in which Boavista managed to put up a fight and go into the break losing by the minimum margin, the second half brought a Most Domineering Portwith their individuals starring in beautiful moments of football, with special emphasis on another good performance by young Rodrigo Mora, with a goal and an assist.
The meeting between Porto and Boavista was marked by a very intense first part and disputed, with numerous fouls (17) and several yellow cards (four), in an atmosphere of great tension typical of a classic.
The “blue and whites” reached half-time leading 1-0, thanks to an excellent Samu’s goalwho completed a beautiful collective move with class.
Despite dominate possession (73%) and created two blatant opportunities, the “dragons” failed to extend the advantagepartly due to two good interventions from goalkeeper César.
On the other hand, the “checkered” team, which The game even started wellwas trying to close the lines to the Porto players, appearing very compact, favoring transitions, but failing to create any dangerous situation.
The second part of the derby was largely dominated by FC Portowho increased the advantage early on and produced a resounding result. Nicoafter wasting a clear opportunity in the 50th minute, redeemed himself in the 55th minute, finishing coolly after an assist from Rodrigo Mora in a rehearsed play.
With Boavista completely demoralized, the “dragon” took advantage of his opponent’s fragility to deliver the final blow, with a great goal from young Rodrigo Mora in a lethal counterattack.
Despite countless opportunities for an even bigger rout, avoided thanks to César’s interventions and Iván Jaime’s error, the “blue and whites” sealed the 4-0 with the Samu’s double near the final whistlecrowning a display of great superiority in the complementary stage.
The Game in 5 Facts
1. Vary to dismount
The variation of the center of play (15) was one of the “dragons” primary tools to dismantle the well-organized checkered defense. Porto almost doubled its previous maximum (8).
2. Long balls to accelerate
The blue-and-whites, using 58 long passes, managed to complete 42 of them, beating their previous maximum (41).
3. Judicious circulation
New minimum number of offensive aerial duels (four) played by the “dragons”, demonstrating that, despite the large volume of both long passes and variations in the center of play, these were mainly aimed at players who were “alone”. Porto finished the match with 73% possession of the ball, a new team record in the League.
4. Penetration in the last third
Porto’s four super progressive drives in this match, all to penetrate the opponent’s penalty area, equal the team’s previous maximum, proof that the hosts had plenty of space to progress with the ball.
5. “Chess” game
The “chess players” reached a new minimum number of team actions in the League (330), coming very close to equaling Casa Pia’s 328 against Sporting (minimum in the competition). Boavista tried to stop Porto in positional terms without engaging with the opposing players, forcing the “dragons” to play patiently on the outside. Interestingly, they tried to press in more advanced areas of the field, with nine defensive actions in the opponent’s midfield, one more than the Porto team.
Best of the Field
Two goals, one opening and the other closing the score. With five shots, three of them on goal (a blatant wasted opportunity), Find he was the most successful in the match.
Much requested by his teammates to create difficulties for the “checkers”, he was by a large margin the player with the most progressive passes received (16). Takes 14 goals in the League.
Summary
