The editorial staff of TuttoJuve.com contacted, exclusively, the colleague of Maisfutebol and who has always been very close to the events of the Fc Porto house, Pedro Jorge da Cunha, to talk about tonight’s match and more:
In your opinion, does Porto arrive at the right time to challenge Juventus?
“It’s very difficult to say. Porto had a very positive moment until the beginning of February, then they accumulated a huge gap from Sporting for three straight league draws. It was very difficult to face. team was beaten at home by Braga and was eliminated in the Portuguese Cup. We received information that Pepe, Mbemba, Corona, Zaidu were really at the limit. The only positive news gained in recent weeks was the victory against Juventus “.
Since the competition has been called the Champions League, Porto have managed to keep the 2-1 defeat on only two occasions in four matches. Is it a team that will be able to manage such an important advantage against Juventus?
“It must be said that the Porto of the championship is not the one seen in the Champions League. Or, to be more precise, it is not the Porto of the ‘really difficult matches’. In Manchester, just to give an example, the team played with three central defenders, it was a surprise because Sergio Conceição had never played like this before. In Turin I think Porto will be very aggressive, trying to block the midfielders and Ronaldo and then try everything with Moussa Marega’s speed and skill technique of Jesus Corona. I think the team will only play with two central defenders because Mbemba and Pepe are struggling with physical problems. They should be starters, but their presence is not entirely sure yet. “
So what formation will we see in Turin?
“In goal there will be Marchesin; back four with Manafá, Pepe, Mbemba (or Diogo Leite alternatively) and Zaidu, in midfield Corona, Uribe, Sérgio Oliveira, and Luis Díaz, there will be Otávio behind Marega. Taremi, a very important striker, on the bench ready to take over for the match in progress. It is important to say that Mbemba, Pepe and Corona come from injuries, so I don’t know if they will be at their best. “
Juve at the Do Dragao stadium did not shine at all. Did you expect such a bad performance?
“No, it was a surprise to see a very strong team so badly. But Porto are a great European team and very experienced, the club have won the European Cup twice, the UEFA Cup twice and always get good results. in European football. The biggest difference between the clubs is the budget and the quality of the national championship, however the dragões are among the most important teams in Europe outside the “big 5” leagues. So, winning at home against any team it is completely normal: Bayern, Chelsea, Barcelona are among the defeated teams at Do Dragao. The biggest surprise was, it is true, the poor quality of Juventus and not the good quality of the hosts. “
The victory against Lazio and the recovery of important players like Bonucci, Cuadrado and Arthur changed the team. How will Juventus be more scary?
“I have seen 9/10 Juventus matches this season, they always play with the same style. The squad is so good, so strong, that Pirlo can easily choose an excellent starting eleven. As I see football, only two players I’m really above the others: Cristiano and Dybala. And I really like Kulusevski’s football, the future will tell what kind of player he will be. “
Cristiano Ronaldo lives for these great nights, but there is Chiesa which is really in excellent condition. In short, who is the most feared of the Bianconeri?
“As a Portuguese, I have to say Cristiano. I have been watching him for almost 20 years winning games, sometimes alone. Sergio knows him very well, but it is impossible to say that he will be fully controlled. Porto, however, are able to always score. and everywhere. Christian, of course, but Chiesa is a very interesting guy. Maybe even better than his father, I should say. “
Juve or Porto, what is your prediction?
“Let me tell you Porto. I foresee a game with high ball possession for Juventus, who will try to attack from the start. And Porto will score on the counterattack. The Portuguese team love to play like this and have enough heart and soul to face suffering.”
Thanks to Pedro Jorge da Cunha for the courtesy and helpfulness shown during this interview.
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