How Porto exploited Roma’s wastefulness in Di Francesco’s last stand

Porto faced Roma at the Estádio do Dragão in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie. In the first leg Roma picked up a 2-1 victory. This was a respectable result but the away goal that Porto managed to grab in Rome would prove pivotal in the second leg.

In this tactical analysis we will look at how Porto were able to overturn a first leg defeat and secure a 3-1 victory. This result takes the Portuguese champions through on away goals and into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Lineups

Porto lined up in a 4-4-2, but it was a more unorthodox set-up than the initial lineup would suggest. Fans of English football will see great similarities between Porto’s style of play and that of Watford. Otávio and Jesús Corona are responsible for drifting inside and taking up dangerous positions in the half-spaces between Roma’s midfield and defensive line. In possession Porto’s set-up is more of a 4-2-2-2 with the attack spearheaded by Moussa Marega and Tiquinho Soares.

Alex Telles offered width for Porto with Os Dragões often looking to overload the left hand side of their attack. Eder Militão offered a bit more balance as he was slightly more reserved than Telles. The attacking play of Porto was supplemented by the solid midfield pairing of Danilo Perreira and Héctor Herrera.