Defour insists Group G ´wide open´

Porto midfielder Steven Defour says that UEFA Champions League Group G is still “wide open”, despite his side’s 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid.

Porto started Tuesday’s game well enough and took a 16th-minute lead through Jackson Martinez, but the Portuguese champions were unable to build on that advantage as they were overhauled by strikes from Diego Godin and Arda Turan.

However, Defour believes that Zenit St Petersburg’s inability to beat Austria Vienna in the group’s other game on matchday two handed his side an early reprieve.

He said: “I think it was a tight game, with Atletico lying very deep, not allowing us to find space and create opportunities. We were prepared for that kind of strategy.

“Our first half hour was good with lots of pressure. After the equaliser, we dropped and ended up conceding another goal.

“Zenit’s result (0-0) turns out to be good for us, so we must take full advantage in the next two games, against the Russian team. All in all, the group is wide open.”

Defour’s midfield team-mate Josue bemoaned Porto’s defending from set-pieces, as they allowed Atletico to score twice from dead-ball situations.

The 23-year-old said: “We suffered two goals in dead-ball situations. The second one cannot happen. Now we have to work in order to make amends in our next game.

“It is time to raise our heads and give a strong response at the weekend (against Arouca).

“We began strongly, well aware of Atletico’s strengths (and) had opportunities to extend the score, but couldn’t make them count.”