Porto responded superbly to an early Derlis Gonzalez goal in the first leg, but at Estadio do Dragao, Julen Lopetegui’s side was in full control despite missing Jackson Martinez and Oliver Torres. But while Porto were dominant for majority of the match, the opening minutes were fairly cagey – high pressing from Basel flustered the hosts, while the diligent work from Christian Tello and Yacine Brahimi prevented the Swiss side’s full-backs from surging forward.
More so, it was difficult to identify a route to goal, but the clear contrast in tempo shifted the match in Porto’s favour, with several players enjoying standout performances.
Initially, Shkelzen Gashi and Gonzalez ensured that neither Danilo, nor Alex Sandro could create overloads in wide areas, and following the former’s departure — which led to Bruno Martins Indi moving to left back and Alex Sandro operating in his compatriot’s role — but neither full-back was adventurous, thus limiting space for the wingers to move infield. Both players were involved in the build up to Porto’s goals, as Tello earned the two free kicks that were converted, and Brahimi evaded Taulant Xhaka and Gonzalez’s challenges before cutting the ball back to Hector Herrera; yet, the wingers were oddly ineffective in open play.
On the other hand, Basel’s approach was peculiar, and completely conservative. It was evident that they would be unable to press Porto for 90 minutes, and apart from the occasional counter, and hopeful balls over the top, Basel didn’t trouble the hosts’ back-line. One first half break saw Gonzalez combine with Gashi before the latter slid the ball wide to the isolated Marco Streller, but he instantly skied an audacious effort over the net. Basel’s best chance of shifting the tie with an away goal saw Luca Zuffi’s cross into the box cleared into the path of Gashi, but he sliced the ball inches wide of the net.
Likewise, Porto was far from convincing in the final third. Zuffi didn’t get close enough to Casemiro who recorded a match high eight tackles and 11 ball recoveries, Evandro served as a reliable passer that comfortably retained possession, and not only did Herrera’s penetrative balls create two quality chances for Tello, but the Mexican dispossessed Mohamed Elneny in the buildup to Vincent Aboubakar’s goal. The hosts, however, were forced to resort to shots from distance opposed to constantly getting behind the Swiss defence to create legitimate chances. Crosses from wide areas were non-existent and Herrera was unable to offer guile and creativity around the box.
What may have irked Paulo Sousa throughout the match, though, was the manner in which his side collapsed. Surely Basel was far from convincing in-and-out of possession, but the goals were preventable. Two sloppy challenges from poor positional play, combined with a goalkeeping error, and Elneny conceding possession resulted in four goals, despite the Swiss side coping with spells of sustained pressure. An attempt to introduce attacking players Breel Embolo and Yoichirio Kakitani proved futile with Basel offering no threat in Porto’s half, and the match was effectively settled by the hour mark.
The balance of play suggests Lopetegui’s side were worthy winners, as a combination of positive individual displays were pivotal opposed to a cohesive team effort. The defence was rarely tested, the midfield’s sleek movement and quick passing allowed them time on the ball and while the wingers struggled to consistently win their individual battles, Aboubakar’s all-round display saw the striker successfully link play with his teammates.
Perhaps Porto’s inability to break down a lifeless Basel side highlights the issue they may encounter against superior opposition at the quarterfinal stage — here, they weren’t convincing in the final third, but efficient finishing manifested their dominance.
