Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski celebrate Bayern’s sixth goal against Shakhtar Donetsk (Getty)
This Wednesday, Bayern Munich travel to Portugal to play the first leg of their Champions League quarter final tie against Group H winners and conquerors of Basil, FC Porto. The last time the two teams met – in the quarter finals of the 2000 Champions League – the Germans progressed 3-2 on aggregate.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Basics
Who:
FC Porto vs. Bayern Munich
When:
Wednesday April 15th, 2:45pm Eastern / 7:45pm BST
Channel:
Fox Sports 2 (US) / Sky Sports 5 (UK)
Where:
Estádio do Dragão, Porto, Portugal
Betting:
Porto 15/4, Draw 13/5, Bayern 3/4 (Sky Bet)
Last Meeting:
Bayern Munich 2, Porto 1 in the 2000 Champions League Quarter Final, played in Munich
Scouting FC Porto
Porto come into the fixture following an impressive victory in the last round, beating reigning Swiss league champions Basel 5-1 on aggregate. Porto will be looking to Colombian forward Jackson Martinez – 22 goals in all competitions and averaging a goal-a-game in the Champions League – to continue his rich vein of form against the Germans, and if he can throw in a goal or two like the above, so much the better.
At the other end of the field, the Portuguese will be hoping their well-drilled defense – they’ve conceded just 12 goals in 28 league games so far this season – will be up to the challenge of dealing with Thomas Mueller, Robert Lewandowski and company.
Scouting Bayern Munich
Frank Ribery celebrating against Shakthar Donetsk (Getty)
The Germans are favorites to progress over the two legs, and go into the game on the back of a 7-0 thumping of Shakhtar Donetsk in the last round while also leading the Bundesliga by 10 points. Bayern will, however, be without star men Frank Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger for the trip to Portugal.
Bayern have lost just two games this season, and despite missing two such high-profile players will be confident of at least notching up a scoring draw in Portugal, taking vital away goals into the second leg.
Heavy’s Pick
Porto 1, Bayern Munich 1
Porto are solid in defense and Bayern are missing two of their key players. Nevertheless, we expect the Bavarians to still have enough to breech the Portuguese, and be happy to return to the Allianz Arena with an away goal in the bag.