FC Porto Match Reports

[Johnboy]

Sparta Prague 0 – FC Porto 2

FC Porto finished last season in fifth place in EFL2, but were ultimately unable to make it through the play-offs to qualify for EFL1 for the coming season. The appointed former Norwich caretaker manager John Read in a caretaker capacity for the coming season and his first game in charge saw the Portuguese side travel to Prague.

With minimal alterations in the close season, Porto lined up with 2 free agent signings on the bench but with loan arrival Jonathan De Guzman in a defensive midfield role alongside Kofi Amoako – a situation that Read has used with success both at Norwich and Inter last season.

Newly appointed captain Mehdi Taremi opened the scoring for Porto from the penalty spot following a foul on Carmo in the penalty area. Approaching the half hour mark Porto were forced into a reshuffle following an injury to Amoako which saw Varela drop back into a more defensive position.

The two teams traded blows across the remainder of the game before defender Joao Mario got on the end of a cross to power a header past Di Gregorio in the Sparta goal to secure the points for the visitors.

Good game Emlyn, good luck for the rest of the season
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[Johnboy]

FC Porto 4 – Valencia 1

After the opening day victory in Prague Porto made one, enforced, change for the visit of Spanish side Valencia. Varela moving into a defensive midfield role, Jaime moving into a more central midfield position and Rutter coming into the side as an attacking midfielder.

The soon to be departing Nakamura was embarrassed by Lacazette as Valencia took the lead in the 9^th minute putting the ball through the goalkeepers legs. As half time approached Valencia defender Pedersen was shown a second yellow card following a careless challenge which had the effect of opening the game up for Porto to take advantage. A couple of minutes to go until half time Porto got an equaliser through Varela, and then took the lead through Rutter in the second minute of the second half.

Into the last 10 minutes and Porto again scored 2 in 2 minutes, captain Taremi got his second of the season before celebrated his first league start of the season by opening his account to leave the hosts with a deserved victory.

Next up is a trip to Feyenoord, who have started the season well. New goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic is expected to make his debut following a big money move from Dortmund.

Good game Pete, good luck for the rest of the season.
(218 words, cumulative total 429)