Porto’s poor start to the league campaign may force the manager to consider making other competitions a priority. When he first joined the club he made it his aim to get Porto back to the top of Portuguese football. After finishing second last season their fans had hoped to challenge and go one better but three wins from their opening eight league games left them languishing in mid table.
Los Dragão’s were seven points behind Champions Sporting but have pulled some ground back in the last two games following Sporting’s first defeat of the season. Porto currently sit four points adrift of the top three and Sporting but are still seven points from top spot.
It is a different tale in the Champions League though as Porto joined Manchester City in qualifying after just four games. City beat Porto in the second round match at the Etihad curtesy of two own goals from the away side. Porto had defended well until two deflected shots within three minutes of each other turned the game and gave City top spot in the group.
The sides still need to meet at the Estádio do Dragão in the final group game but with City’s five point advantage it is not a game which either side will be taking too seriously. Attentions will turn to which side they draw in the first knock out round as many of Europe’s elite clubs are topping their group.
It has been in the Taça de Portugal where Porto have put out some of their stronger sides. Desperate to cap his time in Portugal with some silverware, the manager is trying all he can to win a major trophy.
If Porto are to win something this season they will have to do so without their marquee signing. Marcos Asensio suffered a broken leg while on international duty and is set to be out for 5-6 months. In other international news, France are in need of a new head coach and had approached the Porto boss. Their advances, however, were shot down quickly.
Porto’s schedule doesn’t let up over the coming weeks. They face Sporting at home next before an away trip in the league cup and then Leiria in the league after.
