It’s still early days in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League but Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded side would be looking for a major scalp at the Estadio do Dragao to build further momentum
Carlo Ancelotti’s Paris Saint-Germain have arrived at Porto to face Portuguese champions, FC Porto in their second group game of the UEFA Champions League. PSG arrive in Porto on the back of a convincing 4-1 win over Ukrainian giants Dinamo Kiev in the opening
group game of the competition.
However, the game against Portistas should not be taken lightly as FC Porto have far more experience of playing in the Champions League than their Parisian counterparts. Indeed, Porto have been Portugal’s best hope in Europe in recent years and boast a respectable
record at home against French opposition.
When Paris Saint-Germain last played in the UEFA Champions League group stages, FC Porto were also in their group eight years ago. During that season, PSG won the home tie 2-0 and held Porto to a draw at Estadio do Dragao.
However, Porto have already a Champions League title in their cabinet. It was Jose Mourinho who guided them to UCL glory in the 2003/2004 season. And, Porto beat three Ligue 1 sides during that glorious season which included the 3-0 final win over AS Monaco
at the Gelsenkirchen.
Historically, PSG do not have a good record in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/SC-Braga-c40460 in the Europa League round of 16 game in 2009.
Like PSG, Porto have also made a good start to their Champions League campaign thanks to a 2-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
No http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brazil-c2858 international, Hulk left Porto to sign for Russian Premier League rich-boys Zenit Saint-Petersburg. However, despite the departure of the gifted winger/forward, FC Porto are still a tough team to beat especially when they are playing at home.
The atmosphere at the Estadio do Dragao is indeed special which means that PSG will have to work really hard if they aspire to come away with all three points.
While talking to reporters in Portugal, Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Porto are the strongest and the most experienced sides in Group A so the game against them would certainly serve as a good test to see what level PSG players are at.
"In our group, Porto are the team with the most experience of the Champions League," said the Italian. "For us, playing here is a really good test to see what level we are it in terms of confidence, and in terms of our play. It will be difficult.”
Tough test ahead
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vitor-c36281 Pereira is confident that support of fans would give his side a great chance of winning against PSG.
Throughout history, Porto have relied on the policy of making a strong scouting system. A sound scouting system has helped the club recruit quality players who have to be sold when they reach a new level.
And, Perira feels that this different way of winning is what sets Porto apart from the likes of PSG and other clubs who spend lots of money.
"FC Porto is a club that normally bases its scouting system around recruiting quality young players, who then have to be sold when they reach a new level," said Pereira. "So the team has to be renewed to keep winning titles. That is the way the club has
been run. PSG are in a hurry to win titles and have lots of money, so they are two different ways of winning silverware.”
Team news
Porto
A familiar face in Lucho Gonzalez, who played for PSG’s eternal enemies, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 for two seasons, is set to start against the Ile giants. Moutinho is set to pair up with the Argentine in midfield.
Paris Saint-Germain
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 against his former club.
Probable starting XI
FC Porto
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/James-Rodríguez-c17712
Paris Saint-Germain
Sirigu; Van der Wiel (or Jallet), Thiago Silva, Sakho, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maxwell-c25051; Matuidi, Verratti, Chantôme; Pastore, Ibrahimovic, Menez
Predictions
The game is going to be a tough encounter but that does not mean that the two sides would be looking to have a sparring session on the field. An open game is expected between two sides who are arguably one of the most attacking sides in the competition.
Predicted final score: Porto 2-2 PSG
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