Sunderland U23 v FC Porto B
Premier League International Cup Final
Stadium of Light
Wednesday 17 May, 7pm
PORTO ANALYSED
A point to prove…
FC Porto edged through their group, like Sunderland, undefeated with seven points from nine.
A 1-1 draw against Liverpool was followed by back-to-back victories over German giants Wolfsburg and Leicester City which saw them advance to the knockout stages.
The Portuguese club made light work of their quarter-final against Manchester United before they held their nerve to defeat Swansea City and reach their second International Cup final, courtesy of Galeno’s strike.
Porto’s goal against Liverpool remains the only one their resolute defence has conceded in all five matches to the final.
A force in the cup…
There’s no doubting the calibre of the opposition Sunderland face if they wish to lift the European crown on Wednesday evening. FC Porto are a real force in this prestigious cup competition.
The Portuguese club have reached the semi-final stage in each of the last three seasons, and have advanced to the final in two of those occasions.
Porto will be hoping for better luck this time round, having tasted defeat in the inaugural International Cup final against Manchester City two years ago.
And, rightly so, it could round off Porto’s unrivalled success in the European competition.
Tactical match-up
Vision, creativity and class in abundance, Porto head to Wearside more than worthy contenders for the International Cup crown. Liken to Manchester City and Arsenal, Porto are an accomplished side who are well drilled across the field. They press in numbers and when they have possession, their movement is second to none. If Sunderland can track their runners off the ball movement then they will have a great chance of nullifying Porto’s free-flowing attack. However, this is a final and anything can happen under pressure.
