Historically, FC Porto have the advantage. The Dragons travelled to Ukraine twice and came back victorious. The first time was during the 1987 European Champions Cup which the Portuguese giants won. This season, Vítor Pereira will have an easier job in Kyiv. With three games to go in the group phase, the Dragons lead their table and can thus afford to feature fringe players on Tuesday.
Besides, changes are compulsory since names like Maicon and Fernando are out through injury. It is time for Abdoulaye Ba and Defour to make it into the starting eleven. Helton and Lucho Gonzalez also had troubles during the weekend, but they are have been named in the squad and will most probably play.
Quinones and Iturbe, who started in Porto B’s win over Marítimo B, last Saturday, are also on the list. This is a strong signal about Pereira’s policy for the Dragons’ younger athletes: they will all an opportunity to play at the highest level.
Jackson Martinez is currently Porto’s man of the moment. He has netted seven goals in his last seven matches. The Colombian striker will try to repeat his fantastic performance against Dynamo this week. Jackson’s influence on the offensive is completed by James Rodriguez who has been linked with a move to Manchester United in the near future.
Dynamo Kyiv’s Miguel Veloso will face some of this old colleagues at Sporting CP. João Moutinho and Silvestre Varela are both products of the Lions academy. The Portuguese international is an important piece of Kyiv’s starting eleven as the number one option when to take his side’s corners and free kicks.
The Ukrainians need points to remain in the run for one of the two top places in the group. Winning at home will be essential as PSG are doing remarkably well in the UEFA Champions League. Denys Garmash is in danger of being suspended if he is booked during the match.
