FC Porto came back from two disadvantages and tied against Famalicão (2-2), this Saturday, at Estádio do Dragão, avoiding a third consecutive defeat in the I League. Even so, the last place on the podium continues to 'shake'.

With five changes in the eleven, the dragons saw the minhoto emblem smile very early, through Cádiz (9'), with the response coming shortly after, in an own goal by Youssouf (17'). However, even before the break, the ex-Benfica player scored twice for Famalicão and provoked a huge chorus of whistles in the stands.

Sérgio Conceição's triple change at half-time 'pushed' FC Porto into a second half with a much more offensive nature. With some scares in between, it would be the newly-entered Taremi to ease the damage in Dragão, with the 2-2 at 82 minutes, precisely before the second leg of the 'semi' of the Portuguese Cup, against Vitória SC, on Wednesday.

Ex-Benfica generated tremendous whistling

Sérgio Conceição decided to promote changes in all sectors, compared to the eleven presented in the defeat against Vitória SC (1-2), with the entries of Zé Pedro, Otávio Marko Grujic, Iván Jaime and Evanilson for the places of Fábio Cardoso (injured), Pepe (suspended), Alan Varela, Galeno and Danny Namaso. Armando Evangelista was forced to place Justin de Haas and Sorriso in the places of Riccieli and Chiquinho, both suspended.

The truth is that the match could not have started better for the minhoto emblem. With only nine minutes gone, Puma crossed into the area and found Jhonder Cádiz, full of intention, heading into the back of the goal defended by Diogo Costa, causing the first moment of high tension in Dragão.

The response was quick to appear. At 17 minutes, Francisco Conceição did practically everything alone near the end line and, when he was preparing to cross the area, he was lucky to see the ball deflect off Zaydou Youssouf, with an own goal leaving the blue and white crowd celebrating. However, the lack of inspiration in the attack of the team from the Invicta city was significant, to the point that only Sérgio Conceição's son threatened a new goal until the break.

Armando Evangelista's team did not 'tremble' in playing eye to eye with the opponent and the greatest proof of this was the fact that they created more danger, in attacks by Gustavo Sá and Sorriso. Success would appear shortly after. At 45+1', Gustavo Sá saw his low cross cross almost the entire area until it reached Cádiz's feet. On the second shot, the ex-Benfica player scored twice and provoked a tremendous whistle in Dragão.

Reaction avoided third consecutive defeat

Without wasting any more time, Sérgio Conceição promoted a triple change in FC Porto, right after returning from the locker rooms, with the bet on Alan Varela, Galeno and Taremi for the places of Grujic, Jorge Sánchez and Iván Jaime, respectively, in order to refresh the offensive processes.

Cádiz and Sorriso still showed up in the initial stretch, but FC Porto, desperate for a draw, began to take over the most flagrant chances. First by Evanilson, then by Nico González and even Taremi, with Luiz Júnior always attentive. In between, Evanilson also shot into the back of the net, but referee Gustavo Correia signaled, even before the goal, a foul by Chico Conceição on Famalicão's goalkeeper.

Within the last 20 minutes, Evanilson did his thing again, but Puma Rodríguez also tested Diogo Costa's gloves, who kept his team in the fight for the draw - something that would come within the last ten minutes. Mehdi Taremi appeared opportunely in the penalty area and, after a pass from Galeno, made it 2-2 in the match.

Until the final whistle, the dragons still threatened the comeback, especially in a shot by Galeno, but the result did not change any more, with a note still for Evanilson's expulsion, due to a header to Mihaj with the game stopped, becoming another 'headache' for Sérgio Conceição in preparing the second leg of the 'semi' of the Portuguese Cup, against Vitória SC (after a 1-0 triumph in the first leg), this Wednesday, in the access to the final of Jamor.

With this result, FC Porto - who did not avoid another big whistle after the final whistle - now has 59 points in third place in the Portuguese championship, eight behind Benfica and 15 behind Sporting (both with one less game), leaving the last place on the podium at risk during this round. Vitória SC is fourth, with 57, followed by Sporting de Braga, with 56, who will still face Estoril this Saturday, in the fight for that place. Famalicão, with two wins and a draw since Armando Evangelista's arrival, is in eighth place, with 35 points.

[News updated at 8:10 pm]

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Elevens

FC Porto: Diogo Costa, Jorge Sánchez, Otávio, Zé Pedro, Wendell, Nico González, Marko Grujic, Iván Jaime, Francisco Conceição, Pepê and Evanilson.

Famalicão: Luiz Júnior, Nathan Santos, Enea Mihaj, Justin, Francisco Moura, Zaydou Youssouf, Mirko Topic, Gustavo Sá, Puma Rodríguez, Sorriso and Jhonder Cádiz.

Preview

FC Porto is preparing to play again at Estádio do Dragão, this Saturday, in the reception to Famalicão, about a week after the defeat against