This time, the dragon did not dance in Vienna and did not even reach number 4, because Martim Fernandez hit the post, but he did enough to overcome a new opponent. Franco and Nico gained wings and translated into goals, in the area and through the air, two crosses. The rest was pure magic by… Gonzalo Borges.
Figure: Gonzalo Borges (footnote 5)
He was always a ferret, and was far from the shooting area throughout the first half, also because he was severely punished by harsh fouls from his opponents. He grumbled, but he did not give up, and in the second half everything improved. The trivial goal, reminiscent of Ricardo “Mustang” Quaresma’s, was applauded even by the opposing fans, but the cross to Nico Gonzalez’s head was also magnificent.
Samuel Portugal 2
When he returned to goal, the Brazilian had little trouble, given the lack of shots from the Austrian opponent. When it came to scoring, he would only reach the goal from the wings. He lacked confidence in the game with his feet and was warned by Vitor Bruno not to stray too far from the goal line, especially since he almost conceded a hat-trick.
Pedro 3 costume
He was the leader of Porto’s defence, with Otavio and David Carmo alongside him. He risked a long pass on several occasions, and on one occasion, it went wrong, but he never let himself get upset. He took the bread, that is, the goal, from Malone’s mouth and went in a cart to help Gabriel Pras on the right. Up front he came close with a header but the ball went just wide.
Octavio 3
Ranftel’s shot was scored, but the Brazilian defended brilliantly past Samuel Portugal and kept the ball out of the way that would have punished Porto. A good cutback, like others who were less decisive, in a safe performance, even when called upon to the first phase of the build-up under counter pressure.
Alan Varela 4
He was the beacon of Porto’s midfield, with a positional presence that ensured passing lines for his teammates while playing and also regaining possession. He doesn’t know how to play badly, and he proved it again yesterday, by honoring the captain’s armband he wore on his right arm until he was substituted, and also for the way he kept the team committed.
Andre Franco 3
He formed a partnership with Alan Varela in Porto’s midfield, but that didn’t stop him from getting up to the pitch, reaching the penalty area and scoring the opening goal of the match with a header at the far post. He handled the ball well as he always does, trying to close down the opposition’s spaces.
Ivan Jaime 3
He came on with a bang, was responsible for the Dragons’ first goal and then raced through midfield to take on his opponents, with technique and speed, in what could have been a great goal had the ball not gone wide. . Then, an opponent touched him and left him complaining on the pitch. Since then, he has disappeared from the game and shown his natural tiredness.
Galen 3
He was modest in the first half in attack, and stood out in defensive duties with two good tackles. When the Austrians scored, he was denied by an opponent and then was not in time to stop Lucas Galvao’s pinpoint header. In the second half, he resisted and started shooting at the opposite goal with determination, but some shots were blocked by the goalkeeper and others were slightly blocked.
Fran Navarro 3
He combined well with Ivan Jaime and then assisted Andre Franco’s second-half goal. The ball never reached him when he was in a position to shoot, but he kept fighting until he was substituted.
Joao Mario 3
He gave the right wing a dynamism that the adaptable Gabriel Prass did not achieve.
David Carmo 3
He started adding duels he won on aerial throws, one of which he got hit in the face in. He was also aggressive in his play on the ground and accurate in his passes when he came out to play.
Danny Namasu 3
He had more possession than Navarro, the man he replaced, and featured in a dangerous cross, in the pass for Gonzalo Borges’ goal and in an acrobatic shot that the opposing goalkeeper had to save.
Nico Gonzalez 4
He played at 10 and closed the count with a header. He made a great pass to Martim Fernandez, but the ball hit the post. So, he activated the whole team.
Grujic 3
He brought order and shock power to the heart of Porto.
Children under the magnifying glass
Gabriel Brass 2
The young central defender was called upon once again to prove himself on the right flank. He did not give up, it is true, but he also did not give the runner the attacking dynamics that the team needed. In some movements, he was assisted by Ze Pedro.
Martim Fernandez 4
He returned from injury and played his first minutes in the Austrian training camp and… convinced the left-back. He was one of four players to play 90 minutes in the match and, like Gabriel Pras, offered little in attack, but only during the first half. In the second half he began to get involved in the offensive process and the team grew with him. After several attempts he got space in the area and hit the post.
He deserved better luck.
Gonzalo Souza 2
He played as a left-back, but this time moved to the far right, but lacked time to excel.
Vasco Souza 2
He also spent a short time on the pitch, but it was enough to win, in the race, some balls in midfield, and showed his usual quality in distributing them.
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