Hazing at Arsenal in Porto

Blue-white goalkeeper Diogo Costa said in the match preview that if artillerymen They were the favorites, “they’ll have to prove it.” And he was right. After seven seasons without appearing in the round of 16 of the continent’s top competition, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were the newbies when they visited the Stadio Dragau. and the first match of the first qualifying round of the 2023–2024 Champions League between drago And artillerymen Everything was resolved with a local victory (1-0). The London side, who have just scored 21 goals in their last five Premier League matches, In Porto he couldn’t even shoot on goaland he paid dearly for it.

Sergio Conceição’s always competitive Porto, with more authority and experience than artillerymen Over the last few seasons in Europe he has had his best match chances in the boots of Wenderson Galeno. The Brazilian failed twice in the first half, but did not forgive in the second. On the last play of the game, a right-handed shot from outside the penalty area gave the team the lead.

drago facing the second leg. A magnificent goal that chilled the blood of Mikel Arteta and his players. Fireproof Pepe, who became the oldest player to feature in the last 16 of the Champions League – he turns 41 in five days – led the local defense to completely dry out Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and company. Although there are still 90 minutes left at Emirates Stadium, Porto knock Arsenal off the clouds.

Galen twice

Mikel Arteta repeated at Porto the eleven with which he beat West Ham (0-6) and Burnley (0-5) in recent days. but the students of Sergio Conceição explained artillerymen that the Champions League is not the Premier League. And the Portuguese national team, which in recent seasons has been better suited to this stage of the competition than the London team, was better than Arsenal in the first 45 minutes.

Porto’s intensity revealed the most nervous version of the match. artillerymen in the first moments of the game. A very early yellow card from Declan Rice, poor passing or changes in play and an inability to maintain possession showed that Arsenal were uncomfortable and Sérgio Conceicao’s men took advantage of this to score the first, double, clean sheet. occasion. There were many local fans present at Do Dragao to celebrate Henderson Galeno’s goal. The Brazilian hit the post with his first shot from the center of the area after a superb strike from Francisco Conceição, and the second went just wide of the post.

.

Mikel Arteta’s players were saved by not having time to react during the first 45 minutes against a combative and strongly defending Porto. The truth is that Martin Odegaard performed little, or even less, than Mikel Arteta would have liked, and the team suffered..

Yes, Galen

The start of the second half was not much better than the first. But this time not for any team. Despite the visiting team having a higher percentage of possession, the pace was slow and there were interruptions due to fouls as the game progressed. Even Bukayo Saka, the main agitator artillerymen During the first 45 minutes he was able to excel on the right flank.. For their part, the locals launched an attack on the right flank, taking advantage of Jakub Kivior’s warning condition. But this was also not the game of the Portuguese team.

With the exception of some internments of Francisco Conceição or Pepe, offensive production drago fell below the low during the second 45 minutes. YesWith a lot to win, a lot to lose, and 90 minutes left to go, the final stretch of the match passed without any surprises. and both sets remove clothes. And everything pointed to the match ending goalless until Henderson Galeno made up for an obvious missed chance in the first half. A right-footed shot from outside the penalty area 30 seconds before the end of injury time drove the blue and white fiefdom crazy.

. Porto, despite everything, takes the lead in the overall standings with London.