Pretty simple isn't it, this Champions League lark? I don't know what all the fuss is about.
Here are my ratings for tonight's match:
Schmeichel: 7 - Perhaps it just his style, but he has an air of arrogance patrolling his area that Zieler doesn't. It seemed to help tonight.
Hernandez: 7 - Good performance to justify something of a surprise selection. Still getting used to his positioning relative to the rest of the defence but so far he looks better as a full back than a centre back.
Morgan: 7 - Not exposed tonight and able to concentrate on his basics.
Huth: 7 - Got his head to a lot. I worry a little when he's playing weighted backpasses but it's been ok so far.
Fuchs: 7 - Aside from one ill-advised slide at the ball which he missed, he did a solid job. Provided a threat up the left overlapping Albrighton too.
Mahrez: 7 - Given careful watch by Porto and often had 2 or 3 men on him very quickly. Dispossessed a lot as a result. But their concern was justified when he put in a superb cross for the goal.
Drinkwater: 7 - Excellent first half, at the heart of our play. Faded in the second half as we grew tired and dropped deeper to hold onto the points. May not play the whole game against Southampton.
Amartey: 7 - Still unsure whether to stay or go at times, but wasn't as exposed as he has been with Porto matching us up for a lot of the match. Put in some hefty physical challenges at times when they were needed.
Albrighton: 7 - Doesn't get everything right but his help of the middle of the park and defence is certainly appreciated.
Vardy: 6 - Still looks below his best, and met his match somewhat against fast Porto defenders. The balls he got played into him needed to be inch perfect against a defence like that.
Slimani: 7 - Clearly a handful and showed aggression and determination to get his goal, but also needs to continue working on the coordination with his teammates, particularly his partnership with Vardy which could do with improvement.
Subs: All N/A.
It's very difficult to award a MOTM tonight as everyone played their part in a team performance but nobody really stood out as an absolute star. On balance I'd probably give it to a defender so I'm going to say Hernandez edges it. But I'm sure people will have all sorts of different choices.
As for Porto, they'll feel disappointed not get something out of the match after dominating the second half. It's hard to have a lot of sympathy given all of the simulation; however, I put a lay a lot of the blame for that at the door of the atrocious referee. If there was a textbook of how to lose control of a match, this was it. After doling out yellow cards like confetti in the first half and blowing up every time a Porto player threw himself to the floor he left himself with nowhere to go. It's no wonder the Porto team kept on doing it because they knew they'd get away with it. Indeed, the standard of officiating I've seen in this competition so far has been very poor. If this is the best UEFA can provide, so help us.
Player ratings vs. Porto
posted on 28/9/16
On the other hand, the radio commentary reported that Mahrez was also diving around.
I loathe this. It doesn't matter who, I just wish they would deal severely with or get rid of these people whoever they are.
posted on 28/9/16
comment by downsouf (U4095)
posted 10 minutes ago
On the other hand, the radio commentary reported that Mahrez was also diving around.
I loathe this. It doesn't matter who, I just wish they would deal severely with or get rid of these people whoever they are.
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No he wasn't.
posted on 28/9/16
I saw Mahrez being tackled a lot as he tried to take on one too many players. Didn't see a lot unfair it those incidents from either side TBH.
posted on 28/9/16
He definitely wasn't trying to get their players booked or sent off which was Porto's main game plan it seemed and I thought he was fouled a couple of times when he didn't get it.
posted on 28/9/16
It may be a bit of that as the refereeing is definitely different in the CL (the histrionics of the opposition too!). Porto had a few free kicks against them that seemed fairly innocuous too, the issue to me was more that he was bringing out the card for challenges and a game that really didn't need it.
As an aside, I'm not quite sure on Slimani and Vardy up front yet, it puts a lot of pressure on your midfield as they are both quite high up the pitch. Is Musa likely to feature more?
posted on 28/9/16
I don't think Vardy knows how to play in this balanced 2 at the moment. Last season he could let Okazaki do the job of dipping back to help the midfield while Vardy could pick and choose more. That's not to say that he didn't chase defenders and close down of course, but more that he had the freedom to lead it. Slimani is not the recessive partner that Okazaki was.
As for Musa, he looks individually useful but it's very hard to see where he fits in right now other than being a backup for Vardy. He has pace to burn and worries defenders with his directness, but his team play and awareness have been very poor so far.
posted on 28/9/16
comment by Champions of England (U21032)
posted 1 hour, 10 minutes ago
comment by downsouf (U4095)
posted 10 minutes ago
On the other hand, the radio commentary reported that Mahrez was also diving around.
I loathe this. It doesn't matter who, I just wish they would deal severely with or get rid of these people whoever they are.
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No he wasn't.
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No, he wasn't diving around, I take it.
posted on 28/9/16
At least the ref was consistent. He was frustrating certainly but im not sure he did huge amounts wrong when viewed back.
Agree with the general feeling that Amartey was MOTM. Thought he read the game very well in parts. Lets not forget this kid is 21 and is replacing arguably one of the best in the world at what they do.
Great crowd too. Can you imagine the noise if we make it to a knock out game.
posted on 28/9/16
Mahrez went down too easily a couple of times to try and buy a free kick after seeing what the Porto players were getting away with.
It didn't work and he didn't get them.
He didn't simulate injury like he'd been shot multiple times like their players did after every single tackle though.
I find it a disgusting way to play the game. I personally think it's cheating.
posted on 29/9/16
comment by CDUBYA (U17121)
posted 11 minutes ago
At least the ref was consistent. He was frustrating certainly but im not sure he did huge amounts wrong when viewed back.
Agree with the general feeling that Amartey was MOTM. Thought he read the game very well in parts. Lets not forget this kid is 21 and is replacing arguably one of the best in the world at what they do.
Great crowd too. Can you imagine the noise if we make it to a knock out game.
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There's a lot of noise about the ref but as you said he was frustrating but he wasn't that bad and we've had a lot worse than him over the years.
I also agree with you and think a lot of people forget Amartey is only 21 and as good as Kante is/was, I bet he wasn't as good when he was Amartey's age.
It was a fantastic atmosphere but if we do get through and unless we're very lucky we're likely to face much tougher opposition so I think we need to make the place a lot more intimidating, loud is great but that's not going to be off putting to the opposition and we'll need any edge we can get.