As things move closer towards the crescendo of the Champions League, there are eight teams still vying for the most prestigious title in club football.
Though La Liga is, as usual, well represented, there is a good range of top clubs from different countries amongst the remaining elite.
Notably, there are no English Premier League sides, but Ligue 1, Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Primeira Liga all field sides in mid-April.
Portugal’s FC Porto got past Basel with an emphatic 4-0 thrashing earlier in March for a 5-1 win overall.
Even more emphatic than that was Bayern Munich’s 7-0 drubbing of Shakhtar Donetsk. Their respective wins set up one of the most keenly anticipated quarter-final matchups, with plenty of goals a very real possibility. The bookmakers’ odds have Porto at 5/1 to progress at the time of writing with 32Red, with Bayern 1/9 to qualify.
When the draw was made, many saw Porto as one of the easier routes for Bayern but that’s not to suggest the former are out of the running, nor should they be taken lightly. Though they’re not the frontrunners in the Primeira Liga as it stands, Porto’s form is good and they’re the only unbeaten side left in this year’s Champions League after finishing top of Group H.
In the three meetings the clubs have had in the European Cup, Bayern have had the most success with two victories overall - both with second-leg wins after 1-1 draws in the opening tie. When it counted the most, though, in the 1987 final, it was Porto who took the spoils with a 2-1 victory. However, you can’t take too much from the historical facts. So, how about how it stands currently?
On paper, Bayern do come in with the stronger side and more renowned names. Porto manager Julen Lopetegui made some good signings when he was appointed and that has seen the club battle every step of the way in the league thus far. But it’s not enough to stand up to their opponents man for man. However, football isn’t always about a man for man reconciliation on the field as we see week in, week out. It can be about tactics and work rate, as well as opportunity.
Goals galore?
Opportunity is the key one for Porto, and something they take advantage of well. What they do not always do well is keep the ball, but they are excellent moving forward and biding their time before pouncing to score goals when the opportunities arise. Any breaking counters could be Bayern’s Achilles heel as we’ve seen already this year. Yacine Brahimi and Jackson Martinez have five goals each in the competition so far, with support from Vincent Aboubakar and Hector Herrera, who both have three. Bayern also have firepower, with Thomas Muller, Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski and Franck Ribery always a threat. Both teams have been clinical at times which makes it such an enticing prospect.
Porto are also physical and can stand firm in their sizeable defence. With Bayern visiting, expect a fired-up crowd to be getting right behind their team, and a fired-up team looking to get right into the Munich players. Disrupting attacks in this way will be key but a disciplined German side will be drilled to keep their cool and work to make their possession count.
Pep Guardiola certainly isn’t discounting the Dragões. He acknowledges their strength and attacking prowess. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer even referenced the crowd, who he expects will have an impact.
So, whilst some are downplaying the chances of Portuguese progression, it doesn’t mean that all bets are off. Bayern have odds of 37/20 on 32Red, and 15/8 on Skybet. Porto’s outside chance of 60/1 puts them in a no-lose position, and with the chance to make history. At this point every team is competent and has proven it to reach this stage.
It’s not the competition most renowned for giant killings but there’s still always that chance. One fast break and goal opportunity can put Bayern’s backs up against the wall. For the spirit of the competition, let’s hope an attacking Porto take it to their adversaries when they enjoy home advantage. It will make for a fiery encounter.
