Porto pegged back twice in 2-2 draw against Anderlecht in Belgium | OneFootball

Under-pressure Porto coach Vítor Bruno saw his side twice take the lead against Anderlecht in Belgium this evening, but the Dragons could not hold on for victory, leaving them in a precarious position in the lower reaches of the Europa League table.

Galeno gave the visitors a half-time advantage from the penalty spot but Tristan Degreef equalised soon after the break following a calamitous mistake by Pepê.

Substitute Fábio Vieira put Porto ahead again late on, but the Belgians hit back almost immediately through Francis Amuzu’s deflected strike. Kevin Fernandes reports.

Anderlecht 2-2 Porto: The drama continues

The contestation revolving around the future of Vítor Bruno continues as Porto were unable to guarantee three points in Belgium.

Mats Rits, Samuel Edozie (Southampton loanee), Moussa N’Diaye and Tristan Degreef overpowered an uninspired, passive Porto at the Constant Vanden Stock stadium, who managed to take the lead, and lose that lead, twice.

Before this fixture, Vítor Bruno told journalists: “It’s an important game because we’re on a knife edge, there’s no hiding. We’ve got four points. Now, it’s not a big deal if tomorrow [Thursday]... we really want to win, let’s make that very clear. Now, the competition doesn’t end tomorrow. We still have four games to play.”

Five points in five UEFA Europa League fixtures will leave Porto on the border of play-off qualification and elimination in what is becoming a very uncharacteristic campaign. Additionally, the Dragons have now failed to win in their last four competitive matches, with this fixture leaving spectators with more questions than answers.

From nightmares to miracles

The surprise of the evening was the presence of Otávio Ataíde, selected by Vítor Bruno in his first appearance since mid-September, after being dropped for repetitive individual errors. An expensive investment with potential, however, an erratic defender.

Disaster seemed to have struck early when Anderlecht recovered the ball from the visitors’ kick-off, releasing Danish international Kasper Dolberg on the shoulders of the Porto defence who audaciously placed the ball above Portuguese international Diogo Costa after just 14 seconds – however, from an offside position. Crisis averted.

The home side continued their momentum with periods of sustained, controlled possession. Mirroring the downfalls of Otávio, Anderlecht could exploit the overzealous challenges, uncertain initial positioning and lacklustre marking of the Porto defenders. The likes of Samuel Edozie enjoyed attacking space between Nehuén Pérez and João Mário and when isolating the defensively inadequate winger-turned-defender.

Porto slowly grew into the game. However, like their opponents, the attack lacked a cutting edge in attempts to penetrate the final third and beyond.

Anderlecht were superior for the majority of the first-half, but it was Porto who would lead heading into the interval. From an unthreatening corner, Tristan Degreef was penalised for dangerous play, despite Francisco Moura lowering his head. An exaggeration of the dangerous play rule, or a foul regardless? Morten Krogh’s decision was made. Galeno (who else?) converted from 12 yards. Five of his twelve goals this season come from the penalty spot.

The result at this stage was far better than the performance for the team normally in blue and white, but today in orange (is the blue and purple clash that bad?). Far from convincing.

Immaturity prevails

Anderlecht took back control with successive threatening chances early in the second half. Mats Rits was the protagonist of both. Moments after resuming, the 31-year-old saw his header cannon off the woodwork, with Diogo Costa motionless in the process.

Brazilian international Pepê, attempting to secure possession and control tempo, dawdled into treacherous territories, where Rits intercepted and served Degreef who dispatched a clinical finish past Costa into the upper echelons of the Porto guardian’s net. The 27-year-old can be considered one of the senior figures of this renovated, transitioning Porto, but among his fourteen lost ground duels, that was not his only loss of possession in a dangerous zone.

The stats don’t lie

Nor was Pepê the only culprit for Porto’s careless givaways.

Rits was dominant in all processes in midfield zones. Nico González being Porto’s closest match, their reliable engine.

Late drama

Fábio Vieira (instant impact substitute) would put Porto ahead again in the 83rd minute with an impressive long-range shot with his weaker right foot. However, the joy among the Porto fans and relief in the dugout of the Portuguese team was short-lived as Francis Amuzu’s speculative effort just a couple of minutes later deflected off Otávio’s head and flew into the net to make it all level again at 2-2.

Gonçalo Borges threatened to snatch a dramatic last-gasp win with an incredible individual moment of inspiration, lacking the conviction with the final touch to secure the much-needed three points. In spells, this was Porto’s undoing. A lack of discernment, conviction and tranquillity in decisive instances.

Analysis of the Porto crisis: the grass isn’t always greener… at least not yet.

From the controversial yet commanding and demanding figure of Sérgio Conceição to the nervousness of Vítor Bruno on the touchline. The teacher to his disciple and deputy and frequent substitute when Conceição was serving his many touchline bans.

From the most underrated defender of the previous 15 years in Pepe, to the insecurity and youthful nature of Otávio and Nehuén. Pepê’s losses of possession demonstrate irresponsibility and lowered standards. Porto have lost their identity. The characteristic and always evident ‘fight’ – a garra do Porto.

Tactically, Porto have excellent suppliers (the crosses of Francisco Moura and João Mário) and an elite target in Samuel Aghehowa. However, the Spanish prodigy isn’t sufficiently supported, and the creative outlets are too erratic, lacking composure in their attempts to make the difference. The jury is out on what Bruno-ball looks like, or what it should even be.

The certainties are clear - Porto have not improved under the command of Vítor Bruno, Porto have not been good enough under Vítor Bruno, and time is running out for the 41-year-old coach, despite this being the initial phase of a long-term project navigating recognised and well-publicised financial troubles.

Fábio Vieira did not mince his words in the post-match reaction, for Sport TV: “We tried to dominate… but we need to show more maturity.” Mirroring his pre-match comments, Porto manager Vítor Bruno admitted that “new leaders need to appear” in the dressing room, “regardless of age.”

He’s known for always wearing shorts, but he needs to start wearing the trousers, as does his players. This series of matches is not what is expected or representative of Futebol Clube de Porto.