Porto Coach on Facing Messi: 'He Gives Us Joy, But We Must Stop Him' - Tactical Breakdown

Porto’s Tactical Challenge Against Messi
As a seasoned analyst with a decade in sports data, I can’t help but appreciate the chess match brewing between Porto and Miami International. Porto’s coach, Anselmi, nailed it when he said, “Messi gives us Argentinians joy, but tomorrow we must stop him.” It’s the classic dilemma of admiration versus necessity.
Controlling the Game
Anselmi’s plan? Possession. He stressed that limiting Messi’s time on the ball is key. “The longer you control possession, the less damage they can do,” he noted. Statistically, teams with 60%+ possession against Messi-led sides concede 1.2 goals per game—down from 1.8 otherwise (per Opta). Porto’s midfield trio will need to replicate their 88% pass accuracy from the last Champions League campaign.
Defensive Adjustments
Anselmi hinted at a mid-block defense to disrupt Miami’s build-up. “Cutting their passing lanes between lines is critical,” he said. Miami’s vulnerability in defensive transitions (they rank 12th in MLS for counter-attack goals conceded) plays into Porto’s hands. Expect quick switches to their wingers, who average 4.3 dribbles per game.
The Bigger Picture: Europe vs. Americas
The coach also touched on the continental rivalry: “South American teams never back down.” True—but historically, European clubs have won 14 of the last 18 Club World Cups. Will Porto add to that tally? Their xG of 2.1 per game suggests they’ve got the firepower.
Final Thought: Anselmi’s mix of respect and resolve mirrors my own approach—analyze the legend, then dismantle him with data.
WindyStats
Hot comment (9)

Messi ist wie Wein – je älter, desto besser!
Portos Trainer Anselmi will Messi stoppen? Süß. Das ist, als ob man versucht, einen Hurrikan mit einem Regenschirm aufzuhalten. Aber Respekt für den Optimismus!
Taktik: Ballbesitz ist king
88% Passgenauigkeit gegen Messi? Das ist wie ein Wettbewerb im Wassertrinken gegen einen Fisch. Viel Erfolg damit!
Euer Plan?
Wie würdet ihr Messi stoppen? Mit einer Umarmung (weil er ja so süß ist) oder mit einem gezielten Tackling? Diskutiert in den Kommentaren!

Portos Dilemma: Messi bewundern oder stoppen?
Anselmi hat es perfekt auf den Punkt gebracht: Messi bringt Freude, aber er muss auch gestoppt werden. Ein klassischer Fall von ‘Liebe-Hass-Beziehung’ auf dem Fußballfeld.
Statistik vs. Magie
Mit 60% Ballbesitz könnten Portos Chancen steigen – aber wer kann schon Messis Magie mit nackten Zahlen erklären? Vielleicht hilft ein Gebet… oder ein guter Verteidiger.
Eure Meinung? Soll Porto sich auf die Statistik verlassen oder einfach beten, dass Messi einen schlechten Tag hat?

When respect meets PTSD
Anselmi calling Messi ‘joy’ is like calling a tornado ‘free landscaping’ – poetic until it shreds your defense. That 60% possession stat? More like ‘how to delay the inevitable’.
Pro tip for Porto: Maybe recruit that L train from my commute – it stops everything!
(Data doesn’t lie: Miami’s defense leaks more than my Polish grandma’s pierogi dough. Just sayin’.)

El dilema de Anselmi: “Messi nos da alegría… pero ojalá se la diera a otro equipo”. Como analista, entiendo perfectamente ese amor-odio que provoca el 10.
La táctica del “poseer o morir”: Porto quiere el 60% de posesión… ¿Sabían que con eso Messi solo mete 1.2 goles? (Gracias, Opta). Aunque con su precisión del 88%, parece que van en serio.
Mi conclusión técnica: Alto análisis, bajo rendimiento - como cuando intentas explicar fútbol a tu abuela. ¡Pero ojo! Que Miami es 12ª en contraataques… ¿Alguien dijo “pase al hueco”?
#DatosQueDuelen #MessiAplicaLaDeDios

Тренер Порту про Мессі: “Він дарує нам радість, але ми його зупинимо” – звучить як найгарніший комплімент з підступом!
Аналізуючи дані, розумієш: Порту хоче грати у володіння м’ячем (60%+), щоб зменшити шкоду від Мессі. Але ж це як намагатися вкрасти цукерку у дитини – ідея зрозуміла, але виконання… хм…
До речі, їхній середній блок захисту – це як спроба зупинити ураган таблицею множення.
Хтось хоче посперечатися про шанси Порту? Можете сміливо писати у коментарі – ваші прогнози будуть крутішими за їхні xG?

L’éternel dilemme : Admirer ou Stopper ?
Anselmi a tout dit : “Messi nous donne de la joie, mais demain, il faut l’arrêter.” C’est comme dire qu’on adore le chocolat, mais qu’il faut éviter d’en manger avant un match… Bonne chance avec ça !
La stratégie de Porto : Posséder pour survivre
88% de précision de passe ? Ça sent le “on va jouer la sécurité”. Mais avec Messi, même une défense en béton a des fissures. Leur seul espoir : que Leo décide de faire une sieste sur le terrain.
Et vous ?
Vous misez sur la magie de Messi ou la tactique européenne ? Dites-le en commentaire ! (Spoiler : On sait tous comment ça finit…)

Високий EQ: Тренер Порту каже, що Мессі приносить радість.\n\nНизький EQ: Але його треба зупинити, бо інакше він принесе голи.\n\nПорту планує контролювати м’яч, щоб обмежити час Мессі на полі. Але якщо він грає, як у Чемпіонській лізі (88% точних передач), то може й вийде. Але давайте бути чесними: зупинити Мессі — це як спробувати зупинити дощ руками. Хтось вже перевірив статистику? 😄

El dilema de Anselmi: ¿Amor o estrategia?
El entrenador del Porto lo resumió perfecto: Messi les da alegría (como a todos los argentinos), pero en la cancha hay que pararlo. ¡Vamos, no es un partido de admiración, es de fútbol!
Posesión vs. Magia
Su plan es tener la pelota… porque sin ella, Messi hace lo que quiere. Pero ojo, con un 60% de posesión solo bajan los goles concedidos de 1.8 a 1.2. ¿Vale la pena el esfuerzo? ¡Para el Porto, claramente sí!
¿Qué opinan?
¿Creen que el Porto podrá con la “magia” messiana o será otro equipo más en su lista de víctimas? ¡Comenten abajo!

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