Porto 0 – 0 Atlético

Club Atlético de Madrid were made to pay for their cavalier defending in the first leg as FC Porto progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since lifting the trophy in 2003/04.

Porto on top
Ultimately Lisandro’s two away goals in the 2-2 draw at the Vicente Calderón a fortnight ago proved the difference between the sides, but it could have been much, much more. The hosts dominated from the off, Bruno Alves being denied by the woodwork early on; he would not be the last. For all their intent the Spanish visitors never really looked like stealing the initiative and it was they who ended the match on the back foot, only a combination of keeper Leo Franco’s brilliance and Porto’s profligacy ensuring a goalless draw on the night.

Attacking vim
Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira said on the eve of the game that he believed attack would be the best form of defence at the Estádio do Dragão, and if that adage is true then they were watertight in the opening stages. Within two minutes of kick-off, Rolando had headed a Lucho free-kick narrowly wide and it proved a sign of things to come. Lisandro threatened following Hulk’s fine cross-field pass, his effort being deflected wide, before a long-range Raul Meireles shot looped up off a defender and into the grateful arms of Franco.

Porto Prove Too Strong For Atlético … read more »

Lisandro took his UEFA Champions League tally to six goals for the campaign as FC Porto twice came from behind to earn a well-deserved draw against Club Atlético de Madrid.

Helton error
Maxi Rodríguez got the hosts off to a perfect start in the Spanish capital with a third-minute opener, but from then on the Portuguese visitors held sway. Having already had one effort chalked out, Lisandro equalised midway through the first half and, though a Helton error allowed Diego Forlán to restore Atlético’s lead just before the interval, the Argentinian striker was not to be denied the limelight.

Early blow
The away goals could prove crucial in a fortnight, an invaluable return considering that, from when defender Fucile picked up a knock in pre-match training, it never looked like being Porto’s night. Cristian Săpunaru came in at right-back, but it was on the opposite flank that the visitors initially struggled as competition debutant Cissokho was made to pay for drifting inside on three minutes. The lapse allowed Maxi Rodríguez to latch on to a well-weighted ball from Sergio Agüero and fire in his third goal of the campaign.

Lisandro Keeps Atlético in Porto’s Sights … read more »