Europa League Play Offs - FC Porto vs Racing Genk
FC Porto, the Portuguese giants had to settle for the Europa League this season instead of the Champions League, but will be hoping to make the most of it as they take on Racing Genk tonight.
Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas, the club’s youngest manager to date, will be eager to lead his club to European success, even if it is the second best competition in Europe. The 32 year old has been continuously compared with his predecessor, Jose Mourinho, but Villas wants to make his own mark on the club.
Villas has gotten off to a good start at Porto domestically, beating Benfica and Naval 1 Mario in the opening fixtures of the new season. Porto’s defensive style reminds one of Mourinho’s early days, where he won the Champions League with the club.
Even though Villas was flattered by the comparison, he said he was very different from the Special One. He told reporters earlier this month, “Ever since I came back to Portugal I have been trying to duck comparisons between me and José Mourinho. We do not have the same character or personality. We communicate and work differently.”
Villas knows Mourinho too well, having worked with him as his assistant at both Chelsea and Inter Milan. But unlike his successor, the egoistic Mourinho did not appreciate being compared to his former assistant, he told reporters in a press conference, “If he wins he will be the perfect coach, but don’t compare him to me.”
Whether he is like Mourinho or not will be decided at the end of the season, for now he is faced with the challenge of getting past Racing Genk to cement Porto’s position as Europa League winners. Porto look like a strong side this season, despite losing the influential defender Bruno Alves.
Joao Mouitnho, Porto’s new signing will further strengthen Porto’s already solid midfield which will in turn enhance their attack. If they continue with their good form, Porto can score a couple of goals against Genk and make it to the next round comfortably.
In the first leg of the third qualifying round tie Porto won 3-0. Falcao scored a penalty in the first half and Souza and Belluschi added two more goals in the remaining eight minutes after Genk’s Cameroon defender Matoukou was sent off for a rash tackle.
Genk could argue that the penalty was unfairly awarded and after that the match went in Porto’s favour. However, that was not the case, and Genk had plenty of chances to redeem themselves with chances to equalize, all of which they missed.
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