Porto to test Beşiktaş ambition

Beşiktaş JK and FC Porto go into their meeting at the İnönü Stadium on the back of contrasting local derby fortunes at the weekend. The Portuguese title-holders defeated Boavista FC 2-0 with striker Lisandro López, the league's top scorer, getting both goals while Beşiktaş suffered a 2-1 reverse at Galatasaray SK which ended their six-game unbeaten start to the Turkish Süper Lig season.

Key test
The Istanbul club did not have the best of beginnings to their UEFA Champions League campaign either, going down 2-0 at Olympique de Marseille on Matchday 1, but coach Ertuğrul Sağlam insists the encounter against Porto will give a better indication of their potential in this competition. "This match will clarify our position in the group, so we have to score and win," said Sağlam. "We will play with more attacking players than on Saturday, but not at the expense of defensive stability. They have quality players up front such as Ricardo Quaresma, López and Tarik Sektioui."

'Turn on the lights'
Saturday's setback has not unduly worried the 37-year-old Beşiktaş boss as he trusts his players. "Every team faces disappointments but we can recover from them," said Sağlam. "We have to win against Porto because we didn't get a point on Matchday 1. If we can take a victory from this game, we can look forward more hopefully. We want to turn on the lights of our hopes."

Porto ambition
Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira is not looking beyond Matchday 2 for the time being. "As always, Porto's purpose in the Champions League is to win matches. We know it will be a difficult game but we will give everything to beat Beşiktaş. Both sides will do different things to win but our only aim is to get three points." While the opposition were having a testing weekend, Porto were keeping their fifth consecutive clean sheet and maintaining their 100 per cent opening to the Portuguese Liga.

Scouting
Yet those facts are irrelevant according to Ferreira. "It will be a Champions League game and Beşiktaş's approach will be different. We have watched their recent league games and we know all about their playing style, while they will know most things about us." The in-form López, meanwhile, has echoed his manager's thoughts while also revealing his anticipation about playing in front of a passionate Istanbul crowd.

'Lively fans'
"In the group stage, you have to collect as many points as you can," said the 24-year-old forward. "I also want to score as I have been doing in Portugal. The atmosphere will be interesting and a bit different. I am used to playing in front of lively supporters and the atmosphere here should lift us if anything." Sağlam must plan for the tie without Ricardinho, who injured his knee on Matchday 1, while goalkeeper Rüştü Reçber and right-back İbrahim Kaş are not fully fit. Ferreira, meanwhile, is deprived of João Paulo and Hélder Postiga as neither was in contention due to injury.