Given their good run so far in this season's UEFA Champions League, it almost seemed unavoidable that Porto would have to eventually come up against a team that many would want to steer clear of. Although they were dumped out of the tournament last season by a rampant Real Madrid, Bayern Munich are nonetheless still viewed by most as one of the favourites to win it this year.
Unfortunately for the Portuguese powerhouse, it clearly appears that one can only get so fortunate. Paired with Swiss outfit Basel in the round of 16, Julen Lopetegui's men were in cruise control as they brushed them aside to ensure they are the only team to avoid a defeat in the competition thus far. Of course, this will be put to the test as they take on the German machine - a side that, despite a Spaniard being at the helm - has a strong Mannschaft core.
So, given this, in true German fashion, they are brutally unstoppable once they get rolling. Just ask any fan of Serie A's Roma or Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk following their respective humiliations so far this season.
DOMINANT: Die Roten are cruising along comfortably domestically and look very strong in Europe so far
Like many of the teams paired in the quarter-finals, Porto and Bayern are no strangers to each other. Tomorrow's clash will represent the fourth meeting (but sixth actual match) between Porto and Bayern, but despite the Germans being viewed by most as the team that will get through to the next round, a closer look will actually reveal that the past results are a lot closer than one may assume.
May 27, 1987 - The beginning of an era of success
The Champions League final would be the first time Dragões would meet their Bavarian opponents. All appeared to be going in favor for the Germans until the 77th minute when it took less than 180 seconds for history to be made. Two rapid-fire goals from Rabah Madjer and Juary were enough to undo Ludwig Kögl's first half strike and it would be the perfect ending to what would be a historical campaign and the first - and only time to date - that Bayern has lost to Portuguese opposition.
A night to be remembered: Porto celebrates their first of two Champions League titles in May 1987
Since then, Porto have won another Champions League, two Europa Leagues and an impressive 18 Primeira Liga titles, but will be only making their first ever quarter-finals appearance in six years when they welcome die Bayern to the Estádio do Dragão.
March 1991 and April 2000 - Two closely contested, yet painful defeats
After that magical night in May 1987, Porto and Bayern Munich would come up against each other for the second time in March 1991. This time, the setting was the quarter-finals. Although the tie was set up nicely following a 1-1 draw in Munich, die Roten came back to defeat them 2-0 in Portugal and to this day are yet to lose a single match on Portuguese soil.
It would be a similar frustrating outcome for Porto nine years later. Again, the first leg finished as another draw and looked set for extra-time in Germany, only to be undone by a late Bayern goal to send them tumbling out of the competition.
Julen Lopetegui and Pep Guardiola - the Barcelona link
As they prepare to welcome them over a decade later, there is also another interesting story brewing behind the scenes.
Lopetegui and Pep Guardiola are actually better known to each other than may meet the eye. The duo were teammates at Barcelona from 1994-1997 and both took part in the 1994 World Cup with La Furia Roja, and by all accounts, enjoy a good friendship.
Interestingly, the Blaugrana connection also includes two other managers of teams in the final eight - Laurent Blanc and Luis Enrique - who will also face off tomorrow as PSG takes on the Catalan giants in a mouth-watering clash.
One degree of separation: Guardiola, Lopetegui, Blanc, and Luis Enrique all featured for the Blaugrana under Sir Bobby Robson for the 1996/1997 La Liga season
Although they have faced each other as players on opposing sides, this will represent the first time they will come face-to-face as managers.
Then and now: Guardiola and Lopetegui will have to put their friendship aside as both will be battling for a spot in the semi-finals
As noted previously, Porto are currently sans defeat in their European campaign this season, and in fact, are right now on a nine match unbeaten streak at home. Should they manage to get past Guardiola's troops en route to the semi-finals, their odds, on paper at least, look quite favourable. The hosts have only made to the last four twice - in 1987 and 2004 - and as we are all aware, those were the two years they ended up lifting the trophy.
Bayern's good record against Portuguese opposition, though, can not be ignored and although they are in the midst of an injury crisis, Porto have not been able to defeat them since that historic final nearly 28 years ago. Both sides are also the only remaining representatives in this year's Champions League from their respective leagues remaining, whereas Spain - with Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Madrid - and France with PSG and Monaco are dominating with five teams between Ligue 1 and La Liga.
As such both will be feeling the pressure as they take to the pitch in what hopefully should be an interesting and facinating tacticial match-up from start to finish.
