FC Porto face a must-win Champions League game at home to APOEL tomorrow.
Almost exactly two years to the day the two sides faced off in Porto at precisely the same stage of the competition. On that occasion two goals from Hulk gave the Portuguese side victory, and the burly Brazilian will once again be one of the main threats of the Dragons.
However, the Cypriot team have enjoyed an excellent start to their Group G campaign, beating Zenit St. Petersburg and drawing away and Shakhtar Donetsk – two results that unexpectedly put APOEL on top of a section where they were expected to be the whipping boys.
APOEL have three Portuguese players in their line-up, and experienced midfielder Helio Pinto is confident they can pull off another surprise result. “FC Porto are as strong as they were two years ago, but we are now a better team,” he told the Portuguese press ahead of the game.
Porto have been boosted by the return from injury of striker Kleber, as coach Vitor Pereira recalls Helton, Moutinho, Hulk and James Rodríguez, who were among a plethora of regulars rested in the 8-0 thrashing of lower league side Pero Pinheiro in the Portuguese Cup on the weekend.
Also in line for a recall to the stating line-up is Fredy Guarin. The Colombian is available for the first time this season in the Champions League after serving his two-match suspension for being sent off in the European Super Cup against Barcelona.
APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic said he and his side would be looking to continue their positive start to this year’s competition. “We are happy with our performances up to now. We’re ready to play against a fabulous team, in a fabulous stadium,” said the Serbian.
As for Vitor Pereira, the Porto coach attempted to downplay the importance of the match. “We know it’s an important game, but here at FC Porto all the games are important and we are always focused on victory,” he said.
“It’s another match we want to win. I don’t believe it’s a decisive game, but it is important, just like the games after this double header with APOEL are important. We will play to win the three points. Victories will guarantee qualification, whether they come against APOEL, Shakhtar or Zenit. It doesn’t matter; what’s important is that we accumulate points.”
However, the Cypriot team have enjoyed an excellent start to their Group G campaign, beating Zenit St. Petersburg and drawing away and Shakhtar Donetsk – two results that unexpectedly put APOEL on top of a section where they were expected to be the whipping boys.
APOEL have three Portuguese players in their line-up, and experienced midfielder Helio Pinto is confident they can pull off another surprise result. “FC Porto are as strong as they were two years ago, but we are now a better team,” he told the Portuguese press ahead of the game.
Porto have been boosted by the return from injury of striker Kleber, as coach Vitor Pereira recalls Helton, Moutinho, Hulk and James Rodríguez, who were among a plethora of regulars rested in the 8-0 thrashing of lower league side Pero Pinheiro in the Portuguese Cup on the weekend.
Also in line for a recall to the stating line-up is Fredy Guarin. The Colombian is available for the first time this season in the Champions League after serving his two-match suspension for being sent off in the European Super Cup against Barcelona.
APOEL coach Ivan Jovanovic said he and his side would be looking to continue their positive start to this year’s competition. “We are happy with our performances up to now. We’re ready to play against a fabulous team, in a fabulous stadium,” said the Serbian.
As for Vitor Pereira, the Porto coach attempted to downplay the importance of the match. “We know it’s an important game, but here at FC Porto all the games are important and we are always focused on victory,” he said.
“It’s another match we want to win. I don’t believe it’s a decisive game, but it is important, just like the games after this double header with APOEL are important. We will play to win the three points. Victories will guarantee qualification, whether they come against APOEL, Shakhtar or Zenit. It doesn’t matter; what’s important is that we accumulate points.”
