FC Porto have looked like the slightly more dangerous team at home in the first leg of their 2011 UEFA Europa League semifinal tie with Villarreal, but it's the yellow submarine who lead at halftime, thanks to a goal by Cani a minute before the whistle blew. It wasn't exactly surprising how the goal was scored, but Porto will be very unhappy to be down and will feel like they probably need more than one goal in the second half.
Porto Vs. Villarreal, 2011 UEFA Europa League: Cani Goal Gives Yellow Submarine Halftime Lead
Hulk has been Porto’s most dangerous player, just as he has been all season. He’s narrowly missed a couple of powerful shots, but he hasn’t forced Diego Lopez into any stunning saves. Though Porto have looked dangerous, they probably should have challenged the goalkeeper much more than they have. Their finishing, thus far, has not been up to par.
Porto are playing a high defensive line to help them keep possession, and that strategy backfired on the 45th minute goal by Villarreal. Nilmar, drifting out to the right hand side, created some space for himself to whip in a cross to the near post. Attacking midfielder Cani beat his marker well and ran onto the ball, winning it in the air and flicking it towards the far post into the back of the net, beating Helton.
Porto manager Villas Boas is well regarded as one of the game’s great young minds, so there’s no question that he’ll have a trick or two up his sleeve. Among his attacking options on the bench are young Colombian star James Rodriguez, Portuguese forward Varela, and Brazilian forward Walter.
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