Maniche prepared for Porto return

Club Atlético de Madrid midfielder Maniche is preparing for an emotional return to the Estádio do Dragão for his team's UEFA Champions League first knockout round second-leg meeting with FC Porto next Wednesday, insisting "we must be at our very best" in order to reach the tournament's quarter-final stage.

Missed chances
Jesualdo Ferreira's men hold the advantage after the two teams played out a 2-2 draw at the Vicente Calderón a week ago, yet former Porto favourite Maniche admitted things could have looked a lot worse for Los Colchoneros. "Porto played better than we did," he explained. "They practically controlled the whole match; in fact, it's a wonder they didn't score more." Opposition forward Lisandro cancelled out goals from Maxi Rodríguez and Diego Forlán on the night but, along with fellow attacker Hulk, the competition's top scorer spurned several more opportunities to make the tie safe. "We knew it was going to be difficult if we weren't at our best; they were very calm and after they equalised for the first time they created many scoring opportunities," Maniche continued.

Fan appreciation
Being back at the source of so many happy memories is bound to play on the emotions of the Portuguese international who, under José Mourinho's leadership, won the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in successive seasons. "It's a special feeling," noted the 31-year-old. "I had three fantastic years at a great institution and I would like to send a message to the Porto fans to thank them for all the love they showed me." That mutual affection will be put to one side when the teams lock horns for the second time next week in a game Maniche believes his side can win. "Of course [we can beat them]," he stated. "There are still 90 minutes to play and although things will be tough, I feel we have good enough players. But we'll have to be at our best."

Away goals
Maniche's Atlético team-mate Simão also praised the Portuguese champions, while lamenting the fact that they managed to score twice in Spain. "It isn't easy to play against them and it's a shame we conceded two goals; in these type of competitions, you can't allow that," the former SL Benfica winger said, before sounding a note of optimism ahead of the 11 March encounter. "We also could have won [the first leg]. There are 90 minutes to go and a lot of football yet to be played."