Porto coach Julen Lopetegui has set the target of elite European status as motivation for his side ahead of their Champions League Round of 16 return leg against FC Basel tonight (live on FOX Sports 2 at 3:45pm ET for viewers in the US).
Porto enter the contest following their 1-1 draw from the first leg in Switzerland, and have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions. The Portuguese club is also unbeaten in their last eight European home games, winning five and drawing three since a 1-0 loss to Zenit-St Petersburg on matchday three last season; and have lost just once in their last fifteen European games both home and away.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Lopetegui paid respect to his Swiss opponents while emphasizing a positive result at the Estádio do Dragão will place his team alongside the rest of Europe’s elite clubs.
“We are talking about the quarter-finals of the Champions League,” Lopetegui said during his pre-match press conference. “The opportunity to be among the best eight in the competition.
“We are level and Basel will ensure that we have to be at our best to go through.
“The game will be played at maximum intensity and we will have to perform to our best in every respect. We are looking to overcome a team who have had an excellent Champions League campaign this season and in previous years.
“To come out on top in this game, we need to defend well, first and foremost. They have a lot of players who can cause us problems as well as plenty of experience in their team and speed in attack.”
Porto will be without their captain and leading scorer Jackson Martinez for tonight’s game. The striker has scored six goals in eight UEFA Champions League appearances this season and is also the leading scorer in the Portuguese League with 17 goals.
Despite his star player’s absence, Lopetegui is confident his team has the mental strength and resiliency to respond to the moment after seeing them navigate the Champions League play-off before finishing as Group H winners.
“I’m sure our fans will be behind us and create an incredible atmosphere,” the Porto coach concluded. “We started this journey without a ticket – we had to earn it – but now we are here.”
Programming note: FC Porto vs. FC Basel 1893 will be shown LIVE today starting at 3:45pm EST on Fox Sports 2 and FoxSoccer2Go.
