Two defeats in UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group B have left 2004 winners Porto staring at group stage elimination for a second straight season. A shock 4-0 reverse to Club Brugge on matchday two was a particularly painful low, making a winning reunion with Bayer Leverkusen – just three seasons after a brace of H2H losses – of utmost importance.
On a more positive note, Porto enter this clash after a vital 4-1 win over Braga that kept their Primeira Liga title hopes alive, but a return of three defeats in four UCL home games only serves to deepen a sense of gloom on the continental stage. With all of those losses seeing Porto concede three second-half goals, the Estádio Do Dragão’s nerves may only increase towards the end here.
Feeling some ‘gloom’ of their own, Leverkusen suffered a 4-0 humbling at the hands of Bayern Munich last time out, making it just one win in six overall. That sole win, however, came on matchday two against Atlético Madrid, with that 2-0 victory leading defender Jonathan Tah to identify “a lot of opportunities on the counter” as the cornerstone of that success.
Exploiting similar opportunities could help Leverkusen go level with leaders Brugge if they win on Portuguese soil for a third time in succession, and Brugge lose in their game. But Leverkusen have had a tough time scoring on hostile turf in this competition lately, with four of their last five UCL away games (W1, D1, L3) seeing Die Werkself fire a blank.
Players to watch: After netting the opener against Braga, Evanilson has scored in all four of Porto’s prior home wins this term, including three first-half strikes after the 31st minute. Similar exploits may be cancelled out by Moussa Diaby later on, with a matchday two goal against Atlético amongst his last four strikes, which have all come beyond the hour mark.
Hot streak: Leverkusen have recorded a first-half shutout in their last four away clashes against Portuguese opponents.
