Arsenal loanee Fabio Vieira played 82 minutes for Porto in their opening Club World Cup match against Palmeiras in New Jersey.
The game ended 0-0, with the Primeira Liga outfit hanging on to a draw by the skin of their teeth, thanks to a miraculous performance from goalkeeper Claudio Ramos.
With the other opening game in this group between Inter Miami and Al Ahly ending goalless, it’s perfectly poised for the second round of fixtures, with Vieira set to take on Lionel Messi on Thursday.
Portuguese media have generally been enthused by Vieira’s displays on his return to Porto, but were left somewhat frustrated by what he produced at the MetLife Stadium against the Brazilian outfit.
Portugal’s media react to Arsenal star Fabio Vieira’s Club World Cup debut
Porto want to sign Vieira permanently this summer, although they’re not optimistic about their ability to meet Arsenal’s demands.
Thus, the playmaker may be left in a difficult position when he returns to Arsenal, and his outing against Palmeiras certainly wouldn’t have helped him stake a claim to be involved in Mikel Arteta’s team next season.
Deployed in a front three alongside Samuel Aghehowa and Rodrigo Mora, Vieira was the senior figure in Porto’s attack, and he struggled to deliver.
Not really influencing proceedings in the final third as Palmeiras dominated the game, Portuguese media outlet A Bola were disappointed with his showing.
Awarding him a 5/10 in their player ratings, they wrote: “He always seemed to be on the fence, not knowing whether he should take more risks in attack or help close down his side, assisting Joao Mario. Between one thing and another, he had a flash of light.”
Some of these issues will sound familiar to Arsenal fans.
Vieira often played within himself at the Emirates, showing indecisiveness in the final third when tasked with being the team’s creative outlet.
In this game, he created just two chances, had two shots and played just one pass into the final third, while also completing no dribbles.
What Fabio Vieira said after Porto’s draw with Palmeiras
A potential swap deal involving Vieira could be on the cards for Arsenal, with Andrea Berta potentially leveraging the player to secure Porto defender Otavio.
If this isn’t plausible, then the Gunners may find it difficult to find a club on the continent willing to stump up the sort of fee that they’d demand.
Despite his somewhat glum situation and performance, Vieira was optimistic when he spoke to DAZN (via A Bola) after the game in New Jersey.
“We prepared for the game in the best possible way, we knew what we had to exploit in the Palmeiras team, to try to take the three points,” he said.
“It wasn’t possible, it was a very even game, and therefore I think either team could have taken the three points. It ended in a draw, one point for each side, and now we have to think about the next round.
“We had a lot of chances, some saves from their goalkeeper, a lot of duels, very aggressive, and therefore, whichever team scored first, I would say would win the game.
“Nobody managed to score, it’s a point for each side, and now we have to prepare for the next game with full strength, because we really want the three points and that’s what we’re going to try to do.”
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