Porto coach Julen Lopetegui is targeting another top display to knock Bayern Munich out of Europe, having arrived in Bavaria holding a two-goal lead for Tuesday’s Champions League’s quarter-final, second-leg.
After stunning Bayern 3-1 in last Wednesday’s first leg, Lopetegui’s Porto are on the verge of their first semi-final appearance since their 2004 run to the final, when they won the Champions League under Jose Mourinho.
Bayern’s dream of repeating their 2013 European, league and cup treble was left hanging by a thread when Ricardo Quaresma poached two early goals before captain Jackson Martinez grabbed a late third at the Estadio do Dragoa.
Lopetegui rested nine of his team in Saturday’s 1-0 Portuguese league win over Academica Coimbra to prepare for Munich, and the Spaniard wants another composed performance against injury-hit Bayern, who are missing eight players.
“We have to produce a great performance to compete with one of the greatest teams in the history of Bayern,” said Lopetegui.
“I’m expecting a great team, regardless of who they play.”
In four previous attempts, Bayern have never overturned a two-goal deficit in European competition.
The Bavarians are wary of allowing space for Porto to counter-attack, as Munich mistakes led to all three of the hosts’ first leg goals, and Lopetegui is targeting a similar display of counter-pressing.
“We need to put everything we have planned into practise,” he said.
“It will be a very difficult task, but we will try to find simple answers. We like the idea of playing against Bayern – one of the best teams in the world.
“We need to produce a fantastic performance.
“We have earned the right to play in the quarter-finals – we have worked hard on this.
“All matches at this stage are crucial and we’ll be trying everything to succeed and go through to the semis.”
Defender Ivan Marcano says while Bayern have all the experience, Porto have the ambition.
“We are excited and want to show what we are capable of,” said the 27-year-old.
“We’re a very young team, but we will give everything.
“It’s not just about experience, it’s also about ambition.”
Porto’s crucial week continues after their Munich tie as they face Portuguese leaders Benfica away next Sunday with Lopetegui’s side only three points behind the Lisbon giants.