In the previous episode:
Supercup glory
AI tries to pull "The Italian Job" on me
PART 1: Where it all begins
Following an impressive start for FC Porto where three of the hardest matches were surpassed easily (2-1 vs Vitória SC, 2-0 vs Benfica, 0-3 vs Sporting), UCL draw decided the team had to face FC Copenhagen, Lazio and Valencia to get through to the Knockout Stage.
First game was against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico, way easier than expected. End result was 1-2, 3 goals from Porto. Then it was the time of Valencia, a real challenge this time. No team was able to overcome the talent of the other, and the match ended 1-1. To finish the first round Copenhagen, Porto's kriptonite, was difficultly sent home in a 3-1 win.
Taça de Portugal first game was againt Boavista, oddly enough it went to penalties, where the FC Porto experience revealed itself as a key factor to score a win.
After a couple more wins for the League, highlights given to a 4 nil win against Paços, the first quarter of the season arrived in the form of Estoril. 4-1 win at home, and this is the table so far:
Minandinho is my best scorer with 5 goals, Ángel, Mastour and Postiga my best passers with 2 assists each. If you ask me these numbers are worringly low, not sure what's happening.
This is how UCL Group Stage looks halfway through:
Brandt is my best scorer with 2 efforts, and Minandinho gathered 2 assists already.
PART 2: Promises, hopes and dreams
Almost at the same time two youths showed a glimpse of what's to come: Maicon and Gerrard. Unfortunately for them they would face some tough competition, and managing to flourish seemed like a task only for the best.
Four games later the results came, and they matched the expectations:
Both had the same opportunities, but the first team experience of Maicon proved essential to grab the spotlight.
So far, this is the report on the squad:
- Cillessen is the best
- Postiga is in a wonderful form, Pelle is struggling to get minutes
- Hulk is a beast, better, faster and more powerful than Marcos Lopes, but fails to hold for the entire 90 minutes
- Lavezzi was a failed signing
- Tiago needs time to improve, right now he's not quite enough for the spot. Probably I'll have to buy a CMF
- Cillessen is the best
- Helton is not good enough, but Neuer does not fuckin retires...
- Goretzka is the new 2.3 Ecoboost, doesn't make lot of fuss, but ain't it something special... holds the team up front
- Neves, Goretzka and Fischer are 90% of the team
- Rafa Márquez is coping well with the first team position
- Terry is... a mistery. Yet. Same for Miranda, although the last one is showing more attacking capabilities (my kind of CB)
- Cillessen is the best
- Cillessen is the best
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- Cillessen is the best
Next episode: Who knows?