PortuGOAL Figure of the Week: Larrazabal leads Casa Pia to defeat Porto for the first time | OneFootball

For 19 matches, Francesco Farioli’s FC Porto operated with a veneer of inevitable infallibility.

However, in Gameweek 20, Casa Pia Atlético Clube made history, handing Porto their first defeat of the league campaign, and their first ever victory against the Dragons.

At the epicentre of this colossus conquering, a marauding Gaizka Larrazabal exploded towards the back-post to open the scoring - with a Thiago Silva own goal giving the Casapianos a helping hand for their second.

Farioli’s wounded Porto now sit four points ahead of Sporting, ahead of a critical Clássico scheduled for 20:45 GMT at the Estádio do Dragão, capable of swinging momentum in the title race considerably.

Meanwhile, following their first home win of the season, Casa Pia have risen to 15th place, departing the relegation zone.

Portugal’s most stylish manager Álvaro Pacheco will look to immediately build on this giant-killing with the likes of seasoned full-back Larrazabal, who has contributed five goals and three assists in 20 appearances this season – his most productive season at the club.

In the flash interview with Sport TV after the 2-1 victory Gaizka Larrazabal said: “This victory will boost our morale. We are hungry. We want to go to the next one right now and continue with this winning streak. I think the whole team is already looking forward to travelling to Nacional.”

The latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week is one of Casa Pia’s biggest talents and most consistent performers. Kevin Fernandes reports.

Destiny calling

Gaizka Larrazabal Goikoetxea was born in the Basque Country, where he would journey from Bilbao-based Lauro Ikastola to Danok Bat, reaching U-17 level before senior football came calling.

Larrazabal signed for newly promoted Segunda División B outfit Zamudio, completing his formation predominantly as a vertical wide midfielder.

The Loiu native made his senior debut against Bilbao Athletic, and despite suffering relegation with Zamudio, his five goal contributions in 29 appearances were enough for Athletic Club to come knocking.

Like father, like son

Gaizka had faced his father’s Amorebieta side before following in his footsteps. Aitor Larrazábal was a one-club man and Bilbao cult hero, featuring in 445 competitive matches between the B team and the first team.

In 2002, Aitor lined up for Bilbao alongside influential forward Aritz Aduriz, who also featured in Gaizka’s debut, almost 17 years later.

Larra failed to match the success of his father, featuring on ten occasions before returning to the Segunda División for relative prosperity with Real Zaragoza and subsequently Amorebieta (where he would be redefined as a right-sided defender). However, Gaizka would still feature for the unofficial Basque Country national team.

Lively ‘Larra’

Casa Pia’s return to the first division of Portuguese football has been an undeniable success considering the diminutive stature and financial capacity of the ‘Gansos’.

Under the stewardship of João Pereira, Larrazabal was a key figure in cementing Casa Pia as a Liga Portugal worthy, stable side. Providing constant energy down the right flank as a complete full-back, he has helped the Casapianos to the best seasons in their history in the current model of the top-flight, against all odds.

According to reports from Record, the 28-year-old will depart Casa Pia when his contract expires in June, pointing out that Vitória SC were close to securing Larrazabal’s signature last summer with clubs from Austria, Hungary and Italy garnering interest.

Regardless of where his future lies, Gaizka Larrazabal has been a resounding success at Casa Pia and will be remembered of fondly by club’s fans.

Where will the future of the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week lie? His destination is unknown, but his legacy at Casa Pia is secure.

Honourable mentions from Matchday 20:

Bernardo Fontes – the Brazilian goalkeeper who delivered a shot-stopping clinic consisting of ten impressive saves to hold Benfica to a goalless stalemate. Bernardo Fontes profile.

Gustavo Varela – No Pablo, no problem. The Portuguese youth international bagged a brace as Famalicão were thumped 5-0 in Barcelos.

Hyun-Ju Lee – The press-resistant, technical, former Bayern Munich midfielder piled on the misery for Rio Ave with a well-taken finish.

Rafik Guitane – Vasco Matos loses his job at the hands of another ‘Cathro Clinic’, put on by the likes of Yanis Begraoui (again) and classy dribbler Rafik Guitane.