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| Monday, 08 March 2010 18:48 |
We need to score in London - FerreiraPorto confident of eliminating Gunners FC Porto will carry their slim one-goal lead into the Emirates as the Portuguese side look to overcome their curse of playing in London when they face Arsenal in the second leg of their Champions League Round of Sixteen tie.
Porto were the benefactors of some harrowing goalkeeping by Gunners netminder Lukasz Fabianski and were able to squeeze out a 2-1 win in the first leg at the Estadio do Dragao three weeks ago. But all does not bode well for the Dragoes as Porto have never been able to win in London in six attempts and only came out on top once in six meetings against English opposition during the knockout phase of the competition. Despite their woeful record, Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira is not prepared to just sit on their one-goal advantage as he is aware that he will see a different Arsenal tomorrow night. Arsenal are strong, but so are we"I don't believe (that we hold an advantage) as one goal is not enough to determine the outcome of the tie," said the Porto boss. "As a result, we have to approach this challenge as if it were a new game.""We were in the quarter-finals last year and our objective is to repeat that achievement this year, and we will fight until the very end in order to do so." "We expect Arsenal to be strong and it will be a match defined by the smallest details. Arsenal are a team that is rich (in quality), but we also have our strong points. We are aware of the adversary's quality and know that it will be difficult to play here, but we have our weapons." As for the hoodoo that hangs over Porto's head when it comes to playing in London and English opponents? "There's always a first time for everything," Ferreira simply stated. by Marco Pereira |
totally amateur coaching.
digrace
As for Porto never having won there: it's also good to remember other facts such as the fact that in the last 24 knock out games where Porto have won the first leg they have gone through.
Another one is since 1978/79 season Arsenal have never been able to overcome a first leg defeat.
Porto is the team in the CL with the most shots and the most shots on target!
There are many statistics for and against both teams but what truly matters is today and the way we will play.
Força Porto - give no respect.
They will miss Fabregas' quality in the midfield and Porto will win 3-2 on aggregate.
Forca Porto!
Porto may not go all out like they did in the first leg so the game most likely wont be as wild. I see a 1-1 draw being the best result, but anything could happen. I hope Micael and Varela can have great games. They are both excellent players , especially ruben micael. He is portugal's andres iniesta. Even though I don't support porto, a win in the quarter finals against a team like arsenal will really help the league. If porto knocks out Arsenal and Benfica and Sporting manage to beat Marseille and Atletico, Portugal's place in the uefa rankings will soar.