Top spot the prize at stake for Lucho

Playmaker Lucho says FC Porto have bigger concerns than getting revenge over Arsenal FC when the clubs meet at the Estádio do Dragão on Wednesday to decide in which order the top two finish in UEFA Champions League Group G.

Renewed verve
The Portuguese titleholders were humbled 4-0 by Arsène Wenger's men in north London on Matchday 2 but have since recovered with fine wins away to FC Dynamo Kyiv and Fenerbahçe SK sealing their safe passage to the knockout stage. Lucho, who missed the decisive victory in Istanbul through suspension having been dismissed following his dramatic late winner against Dynamo in Ukraine, believes Porto's revival has healed any wounded pride.

High ambitions
"I don't get the feeling that anyone in the squad is thinking about revenge," said the Argentinian international, whose contribution in the first game against Arsenal was limited to a substitute appearance because of a lack of fitness. "It's already gone. This is a new game. We're happy to have achieved qualification, but to finish first in the group is another objective for us, so we'll do our best to win."

Maintaining standards
Lucho saw enough of Arsenal in September to know that he and his colleagues have a job on their hands if they are to wrest the mantle of group winners from the English side. "We need everyone to be at their very best if we are going to win," he said. The 27-year-old is keen to ensure the Dragons continue their resurgence, with the team on a run of six victories in all competitions. "We're working daily to maintain our levels of sharpness and concentration, and our aggression too."

Always motivated
Porto's captain also has a personal ambition for the final group match – to keep up with compatriot, team-mate and close friend Lisandro, whose two goals against Fenerbahçe on 25 November took him to double figures in the UEFA Champions League. Lucho is one behind on nine strikes having registered twice in the competition this term. "I scored a lot of goals in my first season here," he said, "but not so many last year." Indeed, having hit ten Liga goals in his first Portuguese campaign in 2005/06, he managed only four last term, though whether Lucho scores or not, coach Jesualdo Ferreira is guaranteed good value. "I always work my hardest for the team," he said, "but whether I'm making goals, scoring them or neither, I'm happy as long as the team are winning."