Porto v København: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Article summary
København are 14 matches unbeaten in 2016/17 but that run will be severely tested by a Porto side coming into the new campaign seemingly free of the pressure of expectation.
Article top media content
Article body
- Porto on three-match winless run at home in European competition
- Visitors unbeaten in 14 games in all competitions this season
- Porto beat Roma 4-1 on aggregate in the play-offs to reach the group stage
- Don't forget to pick your Fantasy Football team before the deadline
Possible line-ups
Porto: Casillas; Layún, Felipe, Marcano, Alex Telles; Danilo, Óliver Torres, André André, Otávio; André Silva, Depoitre.
Out: Maxi Pereira (ankle)
København: Olsen; Ankersen, Jørgensen, Johansson, Augustinsson; Verbič, Kvist, Delaney, Toutouh; Santander, Pavlović.
Out: none
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Nuno Espírito Santo, Porto coach
We want to give a good, solid performance. We have not set targets for ourselves in this competition. We want to compete well with the support of the Estádio do Dragão behind us.
It's not a question of favourites, I don't make assessments on those lines. We have to be well prepared and commit ourselves to the task in hand. There are no easy group games – nothing is easy in this competition.
Ståle Solbakken, København coach
Porto are very strong and have top-quality players. We know all about them, having seen their recent games. They have talented individuals who can play in a variety of positions, and they can change formation as they have this season.
They also have a lot of experience in this competition and I think they are the number one team in the group. Having said that, we will look to stand up to them. If we do not perform well defensively, we have no chance. If we are good in that area, it is easier to create things going forward.
Weekend results
Porto 3-0 Guimarães (Marcano 38, Óliver Torres 46, João Aurélio og 55)
Porto remain within three points of Liga leaders Sporting after maintaining their unbeaten home record against their visitors going back 20 years, when they still played at the Estádio das Antas.
København 2-0 OB (Augustinsson 87pen, Cornelius 90)
FCK continue as joint leaders alongside Brøndby but they left it late in a game they dominated. København are a record 36 matches unbeaten at home in the Danish Super League, stretching back to 15 August 2014.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)*
Porto: WLWWDW
København: WDDDWW
*This season only
Home reporter's view: Paul Bryan (@UEFAcomPaulB)
A new dawn at the Estádio do Dragão sees coach Nuno Espírito Santo charged with leading Porto back to the trophy-winning days of recent times. Successfully negotiating a potentially tricky play-off against Roma represented an excellent start for the two-time European champions, whose first task in Group G comes against a dangerous København team undefeated in 14 games in all competitions this term.
Did you know?
Porto beat Roma to make it through the play-offs – when were they last absent from the UEFA Champions League group stage? Read more in our extensive match background.