Porto v Arsenal Champions League match preview

After Porto’s convincing 3-1 victory over Fenerbahçe in the first Champions League match Jesualdo Ferreira’s squad travels to London to face Arsenal.

It has been a Jekyll and Mr Hyde season for Arsenal, with brilliant flourishing Football combined with dismal abandonments of such style as in this weekends 2-1 loss at home to Hull City. However that perplexing match aside, Arsenal is a extraordinary attacking club that strikes at the heart of Porto’s defensive liabilities.

Porto manager Jesualdo Ferreira commented on the upcoming match:

“Arsenal always plays to win, like F.C. Porto. It will be a difficult match, but we will try to win. I want my team to be strict. We want to (dictate the flow) the game. We have the confidence that we can do it”

“F.C. Porto never won in England, but history says that F.C. Porto has always squads capable of winning matches everywhere. We will start tomorrow with that firm idea.”

To win in London, the Dragões will employ a tighter defensive tactic and need to be very patient in the attack. Arsenal (usually) maintains Emirates Stadium as a fortress and it will take a herculean effort in the midfield and their best defensive back-line effort this campaign to come out with points. While they rarely get media attention, the back-line of Bruno Alves, Jorge Fucile, Rolando and Romanian international Cristian Săpunaru hold the key for the day.