Porto booed off after 0-0 draw with CSKA Moscow
European champions Porto were booed off by their fans at the end of a frustrating 0-0 draw against CSKA Moscow when they began the defence of their trophy on Tuesday.
European champions Porto were booed off by their fans at the end of a frustrating 0-0 draw against CSKA Moscow when they began the defence of their trophy on Tuesday.
Porto dominated much of the game but were unable to find a way through the stubborn CSKA defence whose goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev had an outstanding game.
Helder Postiga squandered the Portuguese side's best chance just after the hour when the unmarked striker struck the post when left with a clear shooting chance from close range.
CSKA Moscow were content to defend throughout but created danger for Porto when they counter-attacked with striker Ivica Olic hitting the post and bar midway through the second half.
"We played much better than we have compared to other games -- much faster, better team play, and we had a lot more shots on goal," said Porto coach Victor Fernandez.
"We were really pushing in the second half. The worst thing was the score, a 0-0 draw leaves a bad taste. The team had the will to win but we let the Russians off the hook."
Porto do not appear to be anything like the force they were last season and the absence of playmaker Deco in midfield was especially noteworthy.
The fact Deco scored for his new club Barcelona against Celtic in Scotland just underlined his worth to the side and Porto might struggle just to get out of the group phase this season -- let alone retain their trophy.
CSKA coach Valeri Gazzaev said he was satisfied to tie the defending champions since his side had only two players with Champions League experience.
He added that allowing Postiga to hit the post was the only defensive lapse by his side.
"We picked the right tactics, we created more chances but unfortunately we couldn't produce anything solid," he said.
"This is going to a big morale boost for our players, who are very young. Did I expect more from FC Porto? A team gets what the other side gives it."
With deadlock looming, Fernandez replaced Carlos Alberto with Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano and also brought on South African Benni McCarthy for Postiga after 77 minutes but the changes failed to bear fruit.
Fabiano, top scorer in the Copa America, had a chance in the 78th minute but his left-foot shot was deflected by Akinfeev -- leading to the boos and whistles at the final whistle.