UEFA Europa League: Round Of 16, FC Porto Defeats CSKA Moscow

FC Porto and CSKA Moscow are playing a fantastic, open game at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, but somehow, the two teams have walked into the locker room scoreless at halftime of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16, first leg tie. There have been plenty of chances both ways, with goalkeepers Igor Akinfeev and Helton putting on great performances, while a couple of goals have been disallowed for offside. Seydou Doumbia and Keisuke Honda look especially dangerous for CSKA, while Hulk, Joao Moutinho, and youngster James Rodriguez are looking good for Porto.

It seems highly unlikely that the second half is going to end scoreless, but if it does, it might actually benefit CSKA. Though a home draw doesn’t sound great for them, the teams are very evenly matched and two draws seem very likely at this point. If CSKA can prevent Porto from scoring an away goal, they could very well be favorites going into the second leg.

The Round of 32 featured some intriguing match-ups in the UEFA Europa League, but the fat has been completely trimmed from the competition, leaving us with nothing but serious quality in the Round of 16. Unfortunately, start times and days aren’t staggered like Champions League, meaning four games will be taking place at one time, leaving the world’s football junkies with some seriously difficult choices. Sorry Liverpool, but CSKA Moscow vs. FC Porto looks like the most fun early kickoff. The most intriguing late game might include an English team, though, since Manchester City vs. Dynamo Kiev looks like a potentially great matchup.

Porto have been destroying their domestic league in Portugal, but CSKA are probably a tougher test for than anyone in that league, with Benfica being the only team one could call debatably better than CSKA. The Russian side is likely to throw out a 4-4-2 diamond with two of Tomas Necid, Vagner Love, and Seydou Doumbia up top. The incredible Hulk spearheads the Porto attack, while the Portuguese club might have a slight advantage in the center of midfield.