Defence shows its strength again despite conceding a penalty | OneFootball

Although FC Porto left Alvalade at a disadvantage in the semi-final of the Portuguese Cup, the narrow defeat keeps hopes alive for the second leg, which will be played at the Dragão. Even with the goal conceded from a penalty, the Dragons’ defense once again showed why it is considered the most effective in Portugal and one of the safest in Europe – a consistency that has marked the five classics this season.

In the three matches against Sporting and the two against Benfica, FC Porto conceded only three goals – all scored by Sporting – and the way those goals happened highlights the team’s defensive security. At Alvalade, Luis Suárez converted a penalty; in the league match at the Dragão, the Colombian failed to beat Diogo Costa from the penalty spot, only scoring on the rebound. In the first round of Liga Betclic, Sporting’s only goal was an own goal by Nehuén Pérez, when the score was already 2-0 for FC Porto.

Benfica, who will face the Dragons again on Sunday – the third clash between the teams this season – has yet to break through the wall protecting Diogo Costa’s goal, leaving empty-handed both in the league match at the Dragão (0-0) and in the Portuguese Cup encounter, which the blue and whites won 1-0.

Now comes another high-level duel, this time at Luz, where Porto’s defense faces another tough test. Everything suggests that this time Bednarek will not be part of the defensive line, and it is worth noting that he started in all five classics played by FC Porto this season.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.