In a stunning display of rivalry, Porto faced a crushing 4-1 defeat at home against Benfica on April 6, 2025, leaving the club in a precarious position in the Primeira Liga standings. The loss has not only left Porto’s title hopes hanging by a thread but has also sparked immediate repercussions for head coach Martín Anselmi, who is under increasing scrutiny following the team's disappointing performance.
The match at Estadio do Dragao started on a disastrous note for Porto, with Vangelis Pavlidis scoring for Benfica just 40 seconds into the game. This early setback proved pivotal, as Anselmi reflected on the impact of conceding so quickly. "If you concede a goal in less than a minute, it obviously affects the rest of the match. It’s time to let go of emotions and apologize to our fans because this is not what they deserve," he stated, expressing his regret over the outcome.
After the defeat, Anselmi addressed the fans directly, acknowledging the disappointment and emphasizing the need for improvement. "I felt the support of the fans during the preparation, in the hotel, at the moment of the goal. At this moment, I can only apologize. We reacted well to the defeat in the first half, we were aggressive, but right now, everything left doesn’t matter. We cannot allow early and late goals to happen," he said, underscoring the urgency for his team to regroup.
In the aftermath of the loss, Porto's president, André Villa-Boas, took drastic measures. He imposed a punishment not only on Anselmi but also on the players, mandating that the team remain in isolation longer than usual, preventing them from returning home to their families after the match. This decision came as a response to the humiliating defeat, with Villa-Boas insisting on maintaining team concentration through the following day.
The defeat has intensified criticism of Anselmi’s tenure at Porto, with some media outlets suggesting that his record is worse than that of his predecessor, Vítor Bruno. According to SAPO Desporto, Anselmi's team has accumulated only 15 points from nine matches, achieving four wins, three draws, and two losses. His average of 1.67 points per game pales in comparison to Bruno's 2.22 points per game. Furthermore, Porto’s goal-scoring has also dipped, averaging just 1.33 goals per game under Anselmi, compared to the 2.28 goals per game during Bruno’s reign.
Critics have begun to question whether Anselmi is the right fit for the club, especially after such a significant defeat. The pressure is mounting, and with Porto now sitting in fourth place on the league table with 56 points, behind leaders Benfica (68 points) and Sporting (66 points), the urgency for results is palpable. The team has now dropped to fourth place, falling behind Braga, and has lost direct qualification for the Europa League, now facing a potential playoff to secure a spot.
The ramifications of this defeat extend beyond the pitch, as former club Cruz Azul, where Anselmi previously coached, took to social media to mock the loss. Their post, which included three emojis referencing the score, elicited mixed reactions from fans, some finding it humorous while others deemed it unprofessional.
As Porto looks to recover from this setback, the club's management is contemplating the future of Anselmi. Despite previous assurances of support from Villa-Boas, the mounting pressure and negative results could force a reevaluation of the coach's position. Anselmi’s contract runs until 2027, but the lack of immediate results raises questions about the club's long-term vision.
With six matchdays left in the season, Porto faces an uphill battle to regain their footing in the league. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial not only for the team's standing but also for Anselmi's future at the helm. As fans await the next chapter in this tumultuous season, one thing is clear: the pressure is on for both the coach and the players to turn things around.
The current state of the Primeira Liga shows Benfica firmly in control at the top with 68 points, followed closely by Sporting at 66 points, while Braga has surged ahead of Porto, now sitting at 57 points. Porto’s position is precarious, and with the stakes higher than ever, the next few matches will be pivotal in determining the club's fate this season.
