FC Porto will get their Champions League campaign started against Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb. The hosts will be hoping they can have a better outing this time around.
After crashing out of the Champions League with 22 goals conceded and three goals scored, Zagreb find themselves back in the competition after defeating NK Maribor in the qualification playoff last month. Taking part in just their fourth Champions League campaign, a win at home in their opening match would be a great improvement from last season.
Head coach Ante Cacic is aware of the issues Dinamo had last season and he is confident that they can overcome that disaster.
"What can I say? Our goal is to be much better than last year, and for that we have a lot of attributes like experience and all that gives us the right to hope that we can do well,'' Cacic told the club's official website.
"In my opinion we are stronger than last year. This team will make it very difficult to lose points against, especially at home."
Despite playing at home, the Croatian champions will have to deal with a very experienced Porto side. Taking part in their 17th Champions League, only Manchester United has done better with 18.
The loss of Hulk to Zenit St. Petersburg could prove to be a big problem for Porto as they will now have to wait for Colombian international James Rodriguez to step up. It will obviously take time for him to become the leader that Hulk was, but is Porto going to struggle until Rodriguez is able to establish himself as a world class player?
Notable Absences:
Rolando will be missing from the Portuguese side as he will be serving a suspension earned in last seasons match against Manchester City in the Europa League.
A Few Facts:
In four meetings between these two, the home team has always emerged victorious
Zagreb's last UCL campaign holds the record for the worst group stage performance in the history of the competition
Zagreb hasn't lost a competitive match at home in over two years
Porto has yet to lose away from home this season (draw at Gil Vicente / victory at Olhanense)
New signing Jackson Martinez will get his first glimpse of the Champions League for his new club Porto
Head coach Ante Cacic is aware of the issues Dinamo had last season and he is confident that they can overcome that disaster.
"What can I say? Our goal is to be much better than last year, and for that we have a lot of attributes like experience and all that gives us the right to hope that we can do well,'' Cacic told the club's official website.
"In my opinion we are stronger than last year. This team will make it very difficult to lose points against, especially at home."
Despite playing at home, the Croatian champions will have to deal with a very experienced Porto side. Taking part in their 17th Champions League, only Manchester United has done better with 18.
The loss of Hulk to Zenit St. Petersburg could prove to be a big problem for Porto as they will now have to wait for Colombian international James Rodriguez to step up. It will obviously take time for him to become the leader that Hulk was, but is Porto going to struggle until Rodriguez is able to establish himself as a world class player?
Notable Absences:
Rolando will be missing from the Portuguese side as he will be serving a suspension earned in last seasons match against Manchester City in the Europa League.
A Few Facts:
In four meetings between these two, the home team has always emerged victorious
Zagreb's last UCL campaign holds the record for the worst group stage performance in the history of the competition
Zagreb hasn't lost a competitive match at home in over two years
Porto has yet to lose away from home this season (draw at Gil Vicente / victory at Olhanense)
New signing Jackson Martinez will get his first glimpse of the Champions League for his new club Porto
