You can’t always go home.
Chelsea suffered a 2-1 loss to FC Porto on Tuesday night in the UEFA Champions League, as the Portuguese club ruined Jose Mourinho’s return visit to the city where he first shot to managerial fame.
A swarming Porto side and an electric atmosphere inside the Estadio do Dragao was too much for Chelsea to handle, with Willian’s wonderful goal just before halftime cancelled out by Maicon’s winner for the hosts early in the second half.
Champions League roundup: To read about all of Tuesday’s games, CLICK HERE
Mourinho left captain John Terry, midfielder Nemanja Matic, and reigning Premier League player of the year Eden Hazard on the bench. The former Porto boss questioned the attitude of his players ahead of this trip to Portugal and in the wake of Saturday’s 2-2 draw away to Newcastle United. His team selection on Tuesday showed there are no untouchables on this Chelsea side—but maybe there should be because the Blues could’ve used the attacking expertise of the Belgian on this night.
Here are my three thoughts on the match.
SHOCKING DEFENDING
Chelsea was guilty of some shocking defending, none more so than on Maicon’s winner in the 52nd minute.
Some lovely footwork by Yacine Brahimi turned Branislav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas inside out as he won a corner kick. On the ensuing corner, Maicon slipped in front of the sleeping Ramires, and also beat Diego Costa and Gary Cahill and at the near post before heading home past Asmir Begovic’s short side.
The fact Maicon was able to beat three Chelsea players to the ball on the corner enraged Mourinho.
“It was an unbelievable mistake on the second goal, and we were punished. … Unacceptable,” Mourinho told beIN Sports after the match.
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CASILLAS: THE GOOD AND THE BAD
Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas started in goal for FC Porto, and in doing so he surpassed Barcelona icon Xavi as the all-time leader in Champions League appearances with 152.
It’s a remarkable achievement considering all the great legends who have played in this competition. This is Casillas’s 17th Champions League campaign, the first 16 coming with Real Madrid. It’s a testament to his endurance and consistency that he’s managed to stay relevant for this long. He’s also been an excellent ambassador for the game, carrying himself with a great deal of class and grace ever since turning pro as a teenager. He deserves this incredible record.
His special night was, however, marred by his less-than-stellar form on Chelsea’s goal right before halftime. Willian curled a free kick from 25 yards out over the wall and past Casillas who was glued to his goal-line. As the referee blew the whistle just seconds later to signal the end of the first half, Casillas threw up his hands as if to suggest he was unsighted by his defenders.
But it’s the goalkeeper who sets up the defensive wall, so if the Spaniard had anyone to blame for being beaten by a free kick on the far side, it’s himself.
CHELSEA DESERVED A PENALTY
Porto was full value for the victory—on the balance of play, Chelsea can have no complaints about dropping three points on the night.
But the English Premier League champions had a case to be outraged when they didn’t get a clear penalty decision go in their favour.
Deep into injury time, a long ball played over the top took a big bounce off the ground, and saw Diego Costa and Porto’s Ivan Marcano trying to track it down inside the box. The Chelsea forward attempted a cross and the Spanish defender coyly threw out his arm to block it.
A clear penalty—and Marcano was already on a yellow card—but Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz didn’t point to the spot, and instead gave a corner kick. It was a blown call by the official, and Chelsea had every right to feel aggrieved by that non-call.
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