There is an old proverb. “To the victor go the spoils”. That could be taken literally tonight as Porto visited Chelsea for the 8th competitive fixture between these two sides, knowing that they needed to win or hope that Maccabi Tel Aviv could do them a favour, to advance to the knockout stages.
Stamford Bridge in West London was the setting, with the natives restless after a poor domestic season thus far. Porto coach Julen Lopetegui has also received his fair share of criticism lately and surprised many with his tactics and starting XI.
Tactics
With a win required, or at least a helping hand from Maccabi Tel Aviv in Kiev, many would’ve expected little change from the side that won at the Dragão on 29th September. However, there was a surprise when Yacine Brahimi was chosen to lead the forward line in the middle and Cameroon striker Aboubakar was dropped to the bench. Mexicans Layún and Corona provided the width while Herrera, Danilo Pereira and Imbula formed the midfield triumvirate. Bruno Martins Indi started at left-back.
Chelsea boasted a fully fit squad to pick from, following a disastrous 1-0 loss against Bournemouth on the weekend. In came Diego Costa up front while Cesc Fàbregas was dropped to the bench in favour of ex-Benfica midfielder Ramires, who joined another ex-Benfiquista, Nemanja Matic, in the holding role. Captain John Terry and full-back César Azpilicueta returned to the back four.
First Half
Given Chelsea’s poor domestic form this season, many could be forgiven for thinking Porto would experience a somewhat routine result at Stamford Bridge. However, both sides were cagey to begin with as they sussed each other out. The first half chance of the game fell to Algerian striker, Brahimi, who cut inside Azpilicueta on the right and fired a shot from an acute angle which was pushed away by Thibault Courtois. Early warning signs for the hosts.
However, it wasn’t until the 12th minute that the game came alive. A through ball by Oscar from Chelsea’s midfield found the on-rushing Diego Costa. The Spanish international fired a shot which was saved by Iker Casillas, but pushed back into the path of the back-tracking Marcano. The centre-half was unfortunate to see the ball rebound off him and head goalwards. Despite Maicon’s desperate lunge to try and prevent the ball from crossing the line, the assistant referee on the byeline ruled (correctly) that the ball had crossed the line and Chelsea were ahead.
With many expecting this to spark Porto into life, it was the hosts who continued to threaten. Oscar was again involved when he neatly combined with Willian to shoot from the edge of the box. The subsequent deflection wrong-footed Casillas who was grateful to see the ball trickle wide of his far post.
There was precious little else to report on the first 45 minutes. Corona looked to be Porto’s best chance of a spark that might create an opening. He gave Azpilicueta and Ivanovic problems at times, but it was mostly about the bookings - some five in the first half alone. Diego Costa did have a chance just before the break, having been put through by Oscar again. However Marcano was able to deflect it behind for a corner and keep the status quo going into the break.
Second Half
The large Porto following at the Bridge would have been hoping for changes at the break. With Kiev beating Maccabi Tel Aviv, it required the Portuguese side to go for the jugular. Many fans were hoping for Aboubakar’s appearance for the second half but, alas, it was not to be as Lopetegui kept faith with his starting XI.
The first chance of the second half though, went Chelsea’s way. Willian’s low shot was beaten away by Casillas. However, a counter attack was then launched which resulted in Corona picking up the ball on the edge of the box, cutting inside and firing at Courtois. It was a routine save for the Belgian stopper but a warning sign that Porto were looking to make up ground.
On 49 minutes, Brahimi found himself on the left-hand corner of the Chelsea box and teased Ivanovic, Zouma and Ramires with an array of tricks before firing high and wide of the far corner.
Any hopes Porto had of getting back into the game took a serious dent on 52 minutes though when Chelsea began to expose the gaps at the back for Porto. The counter attack saw Diego Costa and Eden Hazard combine to feed Willian on the right. The Brazilian found himself with time and space and, despite a last ditch attempt to tackle by Bruno Martins Indi, he fired low and with power to beat Casillas at his near post and make it 2-0.
It was at this point that Porto started to attack with more purpose. Marcano headed wide from a Layún corner before changes were made on 56 minutes. Aboubakar replaced Imbula and Rúben Neves came on for Maxi Pereira in a statement of intent.
On 70 minutes, Diego Costa was again put through on goal by Oscar. This time, the Spain international looked over to the linesman to check his run. The split second allowed the hard-working Danilo Pereira to execute a last-ditch intervention on the edge of the Porto box and foil the chance. Once again, it was another reminder that Porto were committing more players forward and leaving gaping holes at the back for Chelsea to counter attack into.
With time running out, Tello (who had replaced Herrera on 70 minutes), managed to get a shot off from the edge of the box. His low and curling effort saw Thibault Courtois turn it around the post at full-stretch. Hazard then struck the post at the other end, with the resulting drive ricocheting off the back of Casillas and out for a corner.
There was one last chance for Porto when, in the third minute of stoppage time, Brahimi hit an Aboubakar pass on the volley inside the box. The resulting effort curled just past the far post by a matter of inches. Ultimately though, it was the story of Porto’s night.
Conclusion
Make no mistake, this was a professional and solid performance by Chelsea. That said, many will feel that their job was made easier by Julen Lopetegui’s tactical choices. Aboubakar may well have provided more of a physical threat to John Terry and Kurt Zouma in the heart of the Chelsea’s defence than Brahimi. The Algerian only ever really threatened when he got out wide and could attack the full-backs. Corona put a reasonable shift in for Porto and caused problems but looked to be ploughing a lonely furrow at times. The exciting Rúben Neves would possibly have had more of an influence on the game in the middle of the park too, but was overlooked.
Much displeasure has been voiced in recent weeks at Lopetegui’s tactics. He will now doubtless have to answer yet more questions to that effect. It is almost certain that Pinto da Costa will demand answers from his coach, especially given the good run the side had in the Champions League last season.
And so it will be Europa League football for the Portistas from the remainder of this season. Ultimately though, many will want to know how such a good start in the Champions League (with many picking Porto as nailed on after the defeat of Chelsea in September), tailed off so spectacularly.
by Paul Gellard
Chelsea: Courtois - Ivanovic, Kurt Zouma, Terry (c), Azpilicueta, Ramires, Matic, Willian, Óscar (Pedro '81), Eden Hazard (Remy 90'), Diego Costa (Mikel 86').
Porto: Casillas - Maxi (Rúben Neves 57'), Maicon (C), Marcano, Martins Indi, Danilo, Imbula (Aboubakar 56'), Herrera (Tello 71'), Layún, Corona, Brahimi.
Goals:
[1-0] Marcano, 12' (OG)
[2-0] Willian, 52'
