Miraculous gunners and far from their usual level
Saliba crosses his head too much.
Finally a semblance of opportunity for Arsenal, after a corner kick from Saka. He meets the French defender’s header at the far post, it goes too far to the left.
The intractable Portuguese defense
The Gunners are desperately looking for a way out against a Porto side that is perfectly oiled at the back and doesn’t let anything escape. Symbol of English impotence, Trossard’s desperate blow from afar and in the clouds.
Arsenal dominates sterilely
70% English possession, but without much effectiveness. If the first 20 minutes were not very exciting, this great chance from Galen should push the Gunners to do more.
The Gunners return to the attack
Another well-placed free kick for Arsenal, this time kicked eccentrically to the right by Odegaard. The Norwegian looks for the near post, but Varela pushes back for a corner.
Incredible double opportunity for Galen!!
Here is the first big situation in this match!! After a big difference from Conceiçao, Galeno hopes to receive the ball a few meters from the goal. His rebound bounces off the post… and comes back towards him, he can volley in front of the goal but he shoots wide!!
Good defense by Kiwior
The Portuguese run en masse towards the Gunners’ area. Moved to the right, Joao Mario is prevented from crossing by the good return of the Polish defender, who relieves Arsenal.
Interesting set piece for Arsenal
Pepe fouls Odergaard and takes a good free kick in front of the corner of his area. Rice crosses towards the far post but an Englishman commits a foul.
Three Portuguese threatened, no English
It should be noted that Pepê and Joao Mario, starters, will be suspended in case of a yellow card this afternoon. Like Cardoso, replacement.
Porto comes out of its box
The locals are on a strong streak and reverse the balance of power a little, approaching the opposite field. Galen makes White suffer on his side.
Little scare for Raya
Arsenal always rotate, even in their own area. The Gunners goalkeeper is not far from having the ball stolen due to opposing pressure, but he is doing well.
The gunners settle in
After a cautious start, the English gradually gained ground, with great control. The Portuguese are unable to get the ball out when they recover it.
Arsenal take control
The Gunners are the first to put their foot on the ball. In a long play felt by the English team, Pepe puts his foot at the right moment to prevent Trossard from heading towards the goal.
Rice already sanctioned
The English midfielder is extremely manly on Galeno near the touchline. A very early card for him, he will play the entire game under the threat of a red card.
Let’s go to the Dragao Stadium!
It was the Portuguese, in blue and white, who launched this first leg of the Champions League round of 16!
The start is imminent!
The players have jumped onto the pitch of the Estadio do Dragao, the Champions League music will play!
A good memory for the Gunners
The Gunners find an opponent who brought them luck during their last match. Arsène Wenger, quarterfinalist in the 2009-10 season, eliminated the Dragoes after losing the first leg in Porto (1-2). In the second leg, the Londoners quickly regained the lead (5-0), boosted by the hat-trick of the Dane Nicklas Bendtner.
Arsenal wants to break its glass ceiling
The English club is regularly mocked for its 7 consecutive eliminations in the round of 16 of the Champions League between 2011 and 2017. But upon returning to this stage of the competition after a seven-year absence, the Gunners will undoubtedly in its best period since Mikel Arteta came to the bench in December 2019.
The Portuguese are regulars in the round of 16
After a convincing group stage, finishing second on equal points with Barça, Porto wants to continue advancing in this edition of C1, as usual in the eighth (sixth time in ten years). Slightly behind in the Championship behind Benfica and Sporting, Sergio Conceiçao’s men arrive at a slow pace, with only one victory in three games (one draw, one loss).
In Europe or in England, the Gunners are going strong
By emerging first in their group ahead of Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal avoided the big European names and must now secure their status as favorites in this round of 16. Second in the Premier League, two points behind Liverpool, the Gunners have accumulated five very convincing successes, including a surprising victory against Liverpool (2-1) and two cards against West Ham (6-0) and Burnley (5- 0).
The compositions are ready, Saliba begins, Kiwior too.
Port: Diogo Costa – João Mário, Pepe, Otávio, Wendell – Alan Varela, Nico González – Galeno, Pepê, Conceição – Evanilson
Arsenal: Raya – Blanco, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior – Rice, Havertz, Odegaard – Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Arteta ready to take on the challenge
“The players know that we haven’t played in the competition for seven years. Obviously some of them were here, they know the history and they know that what happened in the past is not important, this is the challenge and the ambition that we must have.” “Now take it.”
