Portuguese Football in English
Game 2 of the Champions League group stage brought two familiar adversaries together at the Estádio do Dragão. Porto and Chelsea have a lot of recent history in this competition, but also through players and coaches who have been shared between the clubs.
Both sides made changes going into this game. Porto brought in Dutch international Bruno Martins Indi to replace Layún at left-back while Chelsea swapped Nemanja Matić for John Mikel Obi and also replaced Eden Hazard with Willian.
Benfica look to build on their solid start to this year’s Champions League campaign in Spain tomorrow.
Rui Vitória’s men take on the team who came so close to winning this competition in Benfica’s home stadium two years ago, Atletico Madrid.
La Liga expert David Cartlidge brings us the lowdown on Diego Simeone’s formidable team, as well as giving us an update on how Portugal international Tiago is performing and how ex FC Porto striker Jackson Martínez is settling in at the Vicente Calderón.
José Mourinho brings his Chelsea squad to Porto on Tuesday, amidst a certain degree of turmoil at Stamford Bridge. Is Mou losing his magic touch?
PortuGOAL writer and Chelsea supporter Paul Gellard runs the rule over how the Blues have played this season, and tells us how Mourinho is currently viewed by fans of the London club.
Benfica cut the gap to the leading duo to just two points after taking advantage of dropped points by FC Porto and Sporting this weekend.
Porto took the lead twice but were pegged back twice at Moreirense, as the match ended 2-2, while Sporting could not break down a well-organised and resolute Boavista in a goalless draw.
The Eagles continued their fine home form with a 3-0 victory over Paços de Ferreira at the Estádio da Luz.
This is the week many fans in Portugal and abroad had been waiting patiently for - the first Clássico of the 2015/16 season.
Benfica travelled north to Porto on the back of two good results. Last Friday’s 6-0 win over fellow Lisbon side, Belenenses, was followed up in midweek with a 2-0 win over Astana in the Champions League. The Benfiquistas headed to Porto in confident mood.
Porto also went into this game in reasonable form since the international break. Arouca were dispatched 3-1 in the league last week but the Portistas had to be content with a 2-2 draw at Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday night in the Champions League.
