Posted On Wednesday, 20th February 2013
Christian Atsu appears to have found his spark again
By Ameenu Shardow
Christain Atsu came on as a second half substitute to put in a solid display in FC Porto’s 1-0 win over Malaga in the UEFA Champions League game on Tuesday.
The Ghana international excelled after coming on in the 70th minute to replace Russian midfielder Marat Izmailov.
Atsu proved a constant threat and a tormenter in chief down the left flank for Porto throughout his over 20-minute spell in the game.
His sleek movement and dazzling skills terrorized the defence of the talented Spanish team and earned him an impressive 6.3 out of 10 rating by UEFA match assessors.
The 21-year-old was a pale shadow of himself during the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations despite scoring a goal.
He however seems to have found himself again upon his return to club action where he has since scored his debut goal for the Portuguese champions.
Porto would however feel hard done by their inability to turn their enormous possession at the Dragao into a goal fest.
They nevertheless carry a one-goal advantage into the second leg but have the odds stuck against them per the dynamics of European football and Malaga’s impressive home form.