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Champions League | Group Stage
Oct 21, 2014 at 7.45pm UK
 
AB

2-1

Herrera (45'), Quaresma (75')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Guillermo (58')

Player Ratings: Porto 2-1 Athletic Bilbao

:Headline: Player Ratings: Porto 2-1 Athletic Bilbao: ID:183960: from db_amp
strong>Sports Mole looks back at who impressed during Porto's slender 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League this evening.

Athletic Bilbao extended their winless run in all competitions to nine games following a 2-1 defeat against Porto in the Champions League this evening.

Hector Herrera put the hosts ahead on the brink of half time with a well-taken strike, although Guillermo managed to level the game up shortly before the hour with a clinical finish of his own.

However, 15 minutes from time substitute Ricardo Quaresma's shot squirmed under the body of Gorka Iraizoz to ensure that Porto took all three points, which sees them remain top of Group H.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look back at who impressed during an entertaining 90 minutes at the Estadio do Dragao.


PORTO

Goal

Fabiano: Not a lot he could do about the goal conceded, although he did get a little lucky when keeping out Laporte's header. That aside he stood strong when called into action throughout the second half in particular. (7/10)

Defence

Danilo: Faded as the game progressed, much like many of his teammates, although the Brazilian was fantastic in the first half as he constantly bombed forward. (8/10)

Maicon: Early booking certainly did not help, but he managed to do enough to preserve his side's advantage when Bilbao asked questions late on. (7/10)

Bruno Martins Indi: Perhaps a little lucky to avoid giving away a penalty when he shoved over Aduriz on 20-minute mark, and should have done better with first-half chance. Defensively he remained solid throughout, which is ultimately all that counts right now. (7/10)

Alex Sandro: Looked to latch on to overlaps on a couple of occasions throughout, but was not in advanced positions as much as his fellow full-back. (7/10)

Midfield

Hector Herrera: Took his chance on the stroke of the interval superbly, tucking the ball into the far corner first time. Failed to push on following the goal. (8/10)

Caesmiro: His side enjoyed a lot of the ball in the opening 45 minutes, yet his showing after the restart was not so good thanks to the visitors' growing confidence. (6/10)

Yacine Brahimi: A real handful, although he was unable to build on the double he bagged against BATE Borisov earlier in this competition. Seemed to be involved in every Porto attack. (8/10)

Juan Quintero: Played a key role for his side's opening goal with his threaded ball through to Herrera, yet was somewhat surprisingly withdrawn on the hour. (7/10)

Attack

Cristian Tello: A strong contender for the man of the man accolade, Tello was a tireless runner who constantly kept the ball moving up the field. Did get one or two decisions wrong, though, such as failing to play in Danilo in the first half. (8/10)

Jackson Martinez: Was not given as much support as he would have liked, meaning that he often had to drop deep. That said, he had a couple of big chances to score which he squandered. His movement alone justifies his inclusion in the side, however, which is maybe why he was recalled this evening. (6/10)

Substitutes

Ricardo Quaresma: It took the Portuguese just four minutes to make the breakthrough in rather fortuitous circumstances. Even before the goal he undoubtedly upped the tempo for his side, justifying the substitution. (8/10)

Oliver Torres: Was only on the field for eight minutes, in which time his side created little opportunities. (6/10)

Ruben Neves: The second half was mainly about withholding pressure from the visitors up until the winning strike. Did not make as much of an impact as Quintero, the man he replaced. (6/10)


ATHLETIC BILBAO

Goal

Gorka Iraizoz: So often faultless, the Spanish stopper had an absolute shocker for Porto's second goal. Anything before or after that incident has been wiped from the memory. (4/10)

Defence

Oscar de Marcos: Produced a world-class block to deny Martinez from point-blank range on the half-hour mark. Will be disappointed to have conceded two more goals. (7/10)

Xabier Etxeita: Bilbao were carved open for the first goal, while Queresma was not closed down quick enough for the second. Etxeita will have to do better. (6/10)

Aymeric Laporte: Perhaps should have scored with late header, although he was lucky to have not conceded a penalty in the first half when referee Damir Skomina waved on his challenge on Martinez. Showed good composure at times when under pressure. (7/10)

Mikel Balenziaga: Failed to get forward often enough, despite the Lions' attacking lineup. Opposition full-back Danilo also enjoyed far too much space down the left. (6/10)

Midfield

Mikel San Jose: Came close to opening the deadlock with his long-range strike which came back off the post, but was sacrificed at the interval as Ernesto Valverde changed shape. (6/10)

Ander Iturraspe: Failed to have as much of an effect on the game as he would have liked. By no means a terrible performance but more will be required if Bilbao are to turn around their fortunes. (6/10)

Mikel Rico: Did well to keep the ball ticking over at times before being replaced, although perhaps could have done more in an attacking sense. (6/10)

Attack

Guillermo: Was moved into a more central position following a little tinkering at the break, and took his chance fantastically. Also did well to hold up play before Porto's second goal saw heads drop. (8/10)

Marek Susaeta: Notably lost the ball on a couple of occasions in the opening periods of the game, and wasted a half-decent opportunity which fell his way. Did not offer Aduriz the required support which led to the change in system. (6/10)

Aritz Aduriz: Was replaced at the interval following a frustrating match. Was not given the back-up he required, and little chances he did have were squandered. (5/10)

Substitutes

Benat: Instantly helped to add some much-needed pace to Bilbao's game, although was ultimately unable to push his side onto salvaging a point. (7/10)

Marcos Gurpegui: Did not do an awful lot of note in his 15 minutes or so on the field, entering the fray just 60 seconds before Quaresma's strike changed the complexion of the game. (6/10)

Iker Muniain: Surprisingly left on the bench this evening, but Valverde turned to the tricky wideman at the break. Only had one opening to pounce on, which he dragged well wide. (6/10)


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