Portuguese Primeira Liga Week 1 Preview: FC Porto vs. Vitoria Guimarães
FC Porto start the defence of their Portuguese Primeira Liga crown with a trip to Guimarães on August 14, when they will take on Vitoria in the repeat of the Super Cup final.
FC Porto
The Portistas won an unprecedented quadruple under Andre Villas-Boas last season and will be keen to retain their crown this year.
However, the club are without their visionary coach, who parted ways with the club to enjoy greener pastures in London. Although the Dragons lost Villas-Boas to Chelsea, they have surprisingly managed to retain most of their star players.
Radamel Falcao, Hulk, Joao Moutinho, Fredy Guarin and Alvaro Pereira were all touted to move to some of the biggest European clubs, but the players showed loyalty rarely seen and decided to pen down new deals to stay at the helm.
The encounter with Vitoria also sees new coach Vitor Pereira mark the start to his managerial career at Estadio do Dragao. Pereira, 43, is the club’s replacement for Villas-Boas and although he inherited a talented squad, he faces a daunting task of replicating
his predecessor’s feats.
While the former Santa Clara man faces an uphill battle at Porto, he would be off to a great start if he can muster a win over the Branquinhos.
Vitoria Guimarães:
Vitoria crumbled at the hands of the Dragao when the two sides last met in the Portuguese Super Cup, eventually losing 2-0 thanks to a brace by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rolando-c31583.
However, coach Manuel Machado remains confident that his team can pull off an upset, especially with the backing of their fans at Estádio D. Afonso Henriques.
“I hope http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 equal to one another against Win a showing ambition to get a better result than what we did at home last year [1-1 tie]. We have no other idea than to win,” the 55-year-old was quoted as saying.
Although Machado reiterated that Vitoria do stand a chance against Porto, he was quick to point out that their opponents have proved themselves last year and are the reigning champions of multiple competitions.
“ In the last four matches with FC Porto were always a great balance and we are talking about an opponent who won the championship, European League, Cup and Super Cup in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Portugal-c2984. That says much about their quality,” he concluded.
Team News:
FC Porto:
The Dragao have the most fearsome squad in the league, which boasts the talents of Radamel Falcao, Hulk and Joao Moutinho in their ranks.
Manager Vitor Pereira has a nearly fit squad for the match although http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/America-c38390.
Vitoria Guimarães:
Like his Porto counterpart, Manuel Machado enjoys a relatively clean bill of health and will also be able to field his strongest side for his season opener.
The only player doubtful for the match is Pedro Mendes, who missed a training session earlier in order to handle personal matters.
Key Players:
FC Porto: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436
The Brazilian attacker was firing on all cylinders last season and propelled his side to glory with his continuous supply of goals. Amidst the absence of his strike partner, Radamel Falcao, doubtful for the match due to his Copa America exertions, it will
be up to Hulk to lead the frontline for Porto.
Vitoria Guimarães: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pedro-Mendes-c29617
Although tending to personal matters, the Veteran midfielder is expected to take to the pitch when the champions pay a visit. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mendes-c25206 has played for a host of top European sides and will rely on his experience to start the attack for his side in what is the
toughest test of their credentials.
Prediction:
FC Porto 2 – 1 Vitoria Guimarães
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