After a slow start, two goals just before and after half-time ensured the home side a comfortable 2-0 victory in the Porto derby. The result continued a miserable run for Lito Vidigal’s Boavista side, who have not won in the local derby since 2007.
Porto dealt well with the pressure of kicking off first in this weekend’s round of Primeira Liga games, as they went into the game level on points at the top of the table with Benfica. Kicking off on Friday evening, the Dragons needed to ensure the three points so they could then get back to preparing for their Champions League tie with Liverpool on Tuesday evening.
Lineups
The home side lined in their usual 4-4-2 formation, though they had to shuffle things around at the back due to left-back Alex Telles (injured) and centre-back Felipe (suspended) being unavailable. Porto manager Sérgio Conceição opted for the centre-back pairing of ex-Real Madrid man Pepe and future Real Madrid player Éder Militão for the first time this season. Right-back Wilson Manafá filled in at left-back in Telles’ absence, whilst right winger Jesús Corona took over Manafá’s usual spot at right-back.
Boavista manager Vidigal made a major tactical shift by switching to a back five especially for this game. Surprisingly winger Gustavo Sauer found himself with the unusual role of filling in at left-back, as Boavista looked to minimise the space for Porto’s wide men to get in behind.
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