Porto reclaim the trophy
FC Porto, the Portuguese giants, stormed to the 2011 UEFA Europa League crown in what was an exciting season, full of good teams, great matches and stellar performances. With several teams impressing during the group stages along with the notable drop outs from the Champions’ League, the tournament seemed up for grabs as it reached the knockout stages. Thereafter Porto moved up a gear and charged through the opposition, convincingly claiming the title it last won in 2003. Porto’s continental consistency is something to be marvelled at. Despite not possessing the financial strength of the teams from the big five leagues, they have won Europe’s plate championship the last two years they have contested it – having played in the Champions’ League during the intervening seven years.
Their triumph over fellow Portuguese side Braga in the final was a special one as it completed a second treble for the club, who also won the domestic league and cup this season, the former with an unbeaten record. Coach Andres Villas Boas is now one of Europe’s hottest young managers and his squad, brimming with talent and confidence look set to be raided by Europe’s finest for epic transfer fees. Porto’s campaign was founded on defensive consistency, an explosive attack and a tireless midfield which never stopped.
It says much about their win that they started well but didn’t quite catch the headlines, preferring a solid start to a spectacular one. As their challenge gathered steam it became obvious that Porto had the most balanced and talented team containing not just the best attacking threat but the strongest defence as well. Villas Boas’ side picked up their seventh International trophy and now have a pair of Europa League/UEFA Cup titles to go with their two Champions’ League/European Cup wins.
Porto’s assault on Europe next year will be closely watched. If they can keep coach and players intact, most of Europe should be very afraid.
Top 10 Players:
Radamel Falcao – Europe’s most clinical striker, El Tigre set a new record with 17 goals and two assists in 14 Europa League matches this season, surpassing a total set by legendary German, Jurgen Klinsmann. Rugged, fast and direct, his heading ability is second to none, while he is equally potent off both feet. Successive goals in the last five games included a four goal haul against Villarreal and a hat-trick away to Spartak Moscow.
Giuseppe Rossi – A late collapse against Porto notwithstanding, Villarreal’s campaign held promise mainly on account of the little Italian’s goals. 11 strikes and three assists from 14 matches ensured that the Yellow Submarine was always in with a shout while confirming the credentials of Italy’s best striker. A purple match in March saw five goals scored in five games as Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen and Twente were swept aside.
Hulk – Givanildo Vieira de Souza lived up to his nickname with another explosive season in attack. Often used a battering ram on account of his physicality, Hulk’s pace and finishing ability allow him to play off the wing or as a second striker as well. 24 shots on goal yielded four goals and four assists during a continental campaign in which he dovetailed with Falcao to devastating effect. Porto showed they had the best 1-2 punch in terms of striker options.
Edinson Cavani – Napoli’s talented attacking presence, the gangly Argentine had a stellar campaign for Napoli despite the Italians losing to Villarreal in the round of 32. 10 games returned 7 goals and 2 assists as Napoli’s hopes often rested on the wizardry of Cavani. Tricky in the dribble and composed with the ball at his feet, his style is more direct than his languor suggests. At 24, his is nearing his peak and Napoli may have one of Europe’s top talents on its books.
Roman Eremenko – Dynamo Kyiv were unlucky to lose to Braga in the quarter-finals, going out on away goals. But one of the main reasons they got that far was because of the playmaking of Eremenko, who was at the heart of everything they created and came to the fore during their defeat of Manchester City in the last 16. Finland’s national midfield general, Eremenko weighed in with 1 goal, six helpers and 12 shots on goal while conducting affairs from the middle.
Vincent Kompany – Quiet and efficient, his presence at the back for Manchester City allowed the team to flourish in manager Roberto Mancini’s image of defensive stolidity and rapid counter-attack. Rarely in the spotlight, the Belgian’s work at the back was second to none. Both tall and quick, while being completely assured in possession, Kompany was crucial to City conceding just eight goals in their 10 games including five clean sheets.
Igor Akinfeev – At 25, one of the best shot stoppers in the world, the Russian custodian backstopped CSKA Moscow to the best defensive record conceding just seven times in 10 games including four clean sheets. The CSKA side performed much better than the sum of its parts, with Akinfeev’s saves proving crucial as they topped their group with the best most goals scored and the fewest conceded.
Rolando – Porto’s towering presence in defence, he was absolutely immense at the back, playing every single minute of their Europe League run. A monolith at the back, he had both pace and presence, chipping in with a brace of goals, including one against Seville, and consistent tackling that only resulted in two yellow cards. At only 25, his best defensive days are still ahead of him and like Atlas, this giant held Porto’s aspirations aloft on his wide shoulders.
Thomas Necid – The next Jan Koller perhaps. The gangly CSKA Moscow giant (6’-6” in boots) was prolific in the group stages and took CSKA as far as he could, losing to Porto in the round of 16. Six goals and 21 shots from 10 games were ample reward for a young talent who held the ball well, got into space and carved openings for himself in opposing defences. Look out for him at the Euro U-21 finals in Denmark this summer, suiting up for the Czech Republic.
Danko Lazovic - The Serbian forward was equal parts composed and adept, whose performances led many to tout Zenit St. Petersburg at possible dark horses for the tournament. Lazovic played nine times tallied three goals and provided three assists as one of the front three for a potent Zenit attack that won six out of six with 18 goals in the group stage. At 28, still has several good years left in him and should play a part for Serbia in the Euro 2012 qualifiers.
Top Ten Moments:
Braga 1 – 0 Benfica – Braga are the oldest city in Portugal but the club is among the lesser domestic lights. Home wins over Arsenal and Liverpool may not have made Europe take notice but their dogged defending while protecting a lead ensured just that. At times they rode their luck but eventually sealed a deserved place in the final after their 1-0 triumph to go through on away goals, the side that no one expected.
Porto 5 – 1 Villarreal – The real final of the tournament came one round early as the two best teams met in the final four instead. Fans expected a cagey affair that could go either way and be decided with a moment of brilliance. However Falcao ensured that a burst of inspired finishing sent the tie Porto’s way as they hammered their Spanish opponents in a display that sent shivers down the spines at Europe’s top clubs.
Porto 5 – 2 Spartak Moscow – The second of three consecutive five goal thrashings handed out over the spring, the Portuguese league winners sent home Russia’s elite club with their tail between their legs. Spartak is richer than Porto and a domestic heavyweight, used to dining at the continent’s top table. They were made to look like part-time amateurs as Porto dished out a beating that signalled their intent to go all the way.
Villarreal 5 – 1 Twente - Twente were the defending Dutch Champions who had acquitted themselves well in the Champions’ League and fancied their chances at deep run in Europe’s plate tournament. Villarreal, however were in no mood and they showed the Eredivisie side who was boss. Four different scorers sent the club on their way and only a late injury time consolation from Marc Janko spoiled the clean sheet.
Three Portuguese Clubs in final four – The less fashionable league in Iberia had long been derided as a three horse race which, in view of Porto’s recent dominance was still too lenient. However, Braga, fresh from their debut Champions’ League campaign, and 2010 Liga Champions’ Benfica, ensured that valuable coefficient points were collected while raising the profile of the Campeonato with strong runs to the semi-finals where they fought for the right to play compatriots Porto in the final.
Villarreal 2 – 1 Napoli – Napoli are enjoying a resurgence as one of Italy’s current up and coming teams with consistent, assured performances while Villarreal are one of the best teams in Spain. Both clubs have an exciting core of good young players. This tie served up just what the fans wanted, a close game decided by goals of real quality. The only downside being that Europe would be losing one of these sides so early in the tournament.
Lech Poznan 3 – 1 Manchester City – The English side is the richest club in the world, the other won the Polish top flight in 2010. Despite resting several players from the gruelling trip to Eastern Europe, City was expected to compete. Instead they received a hammering at the hands of the railwaymen in a tussle that ended emphatically in favour of David over Goliath.
Zenit staying perfect in Group G – Even in the Champions’ League with the odd minnow, winning all six games is a rare and heady achievement. Zenit though, romped through Group G despite appearing to have plenty left in the tank and with lots to spare. Six wins, 18 for, six goals against and 10 different scorers, comprehensive and clinical.
PSG 4 – 2 Sevilla - What the Europa League and its predecessor, the UEFA Cup, is all about. Top placed sides from different countries going head to head in a thrilling high octane matchup. Both missed out on European qualification for 2012 but served up six goals from four different players with both Frederic Kanoute and Mathieu Bodmer notching doubles.
Big Five Leagues beat up – Spanish side Villarreal were the only representatives from the leagues of England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain combined, left standing after the round of 16. In developments that represent a slight return to 70s era parity as well as the growing financial clout of Eastern Europe, sides from Russia, Ukraine, Holland and Portugal completed the quarterfinal line-up. The two richest clubs in the draw, Manchester City and Liverpool were among the casualties.
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