The Daily Star Ireland
The Estádio do Dragão will set the stage for a fascinating Europa League encounter on October 2, 2025, as FC Porto host Serbian champions Crvena zvezda in Matchday 2 of the group stage. Both sides arrive with confidence, having picked up valuable results in their opening fixtures. Porto dispatched Salzburg with a commanding performance, while Crvena zvezda showed grit to hold Celtic to a 1-1 draw.
Porto’s Depth Tested by Injuries
Under Sérgio Conceição, Porto have continued to combine tactical sharpness with a balance of youth and experience. Domestically, they remain a force, and their European pedigree adds weight to their credentials as one of the favorites in this group. However, their squad is not at full strength.
Key players Alberto Costa and Luuk de Jong are sidelined with injuries that are expected to keep them out until late September. Defensive options Martim Fernandes and Nehuén Pérez are also unavailable, forcing Conceição to rely more heavily on squad depth. Expect Bruno and G. Sousa to carry additional responsibility in midfield, while wingers W. Gomes and B. Caicedo will look to stretch the Serbian defense.
Crvena Zvezda’s Confidence and Resilience
Crvena zvezda, led by Israeli coach Barak Bakhar, enter the tie with momentum of their own. Unbeaten in their last five outings, the Belgrade side have shown both resilience and attacking flair in recent competitions. Their frontline—comprising Peter Olayinka, Milson, and Aleksandar Damjanović—offers speed and unpredictability, making them a genuine threat on the break.
Unlike Porto, the Serbian champions boast a relatively healthy squad, allowing Bakhar to field his preferred starting eleven. Their ability to remain compact defensively while springing forward in transition could prove crucial against a Porto side that thrives on dominating possession.
Tactical Battle and Key Matchups
This encounter is likely to be shaped by contrasting approaches. Porto will press high and look to dictate tempo, particularly through their wide play. Crvena zvezda, by contrast, are expected to sit deep, soaking up pressure before countering with pace. Midfielder Ivan Gutesa will play a central role in disrupting Porto’s rhythm, while set pieces could be a major factor—Porto’s aerial strength is well-documented, and Crvena zvezda have shown weaknesses in defending corners.
Both coaches are tactically adaptable, meaning in-game adjustments could shift the balance. Expect Porto to lean on their home crowd and attacking depth, while Crvena zvezda will look to frustrate and capitalize on mistakes.
Prediction
Given their strong home record and attacking options, Porto are favorites to edge this clash. Crvena zvezda’s resilience should keep them in contention, but the Portuguese side’s quality and experience at this level are likely to prove decisive. A 2-1 scoreline feels realistic, with Porto striking first, the visitors equalizing through a counter, and the hosts sealing victory late on.
Prediction: FC Porto 3–1 Crvena zvezda
