Porto Boss Relishing Malaga Match Up


Porto head coach Vitor Pereira says 'everyone is looking forward' to his side's clash with Malaga as the two sides head into their Champions League first knockout round first leg in fine form.

Pereira's side are currently top of the Portuguese league and are unbeaten in 19 games, whilst the Spanish side Malaga are still unbeaten in this year's Champions League despite the fact that it's their debut season in the competition.

Porto will likely be without Belgian midfielder Steven Defour through injury, but will be able to welcome back Columbian James Rodriguez and Silvestre Varela after the pair both recovered from their respective knocks.

Malaga have no injury concerns and go into the first leg in Portugal having lost only one of their last 12 European games, but will of course be without left back Nacho Monreal after the defender's deadline day move to Arsenal. Monreal had been a key figure in Malaga's group stage tussles and as such is ineligible for the Gunners for their clash with Bayern Munich at the Emirates.

Porto will be hoping to make home advantage count tonight, and Jackson Martinez could be the man who helps them to do just that; the striker has 3 goals in 6 Champions League appearances this season, and also leads the Portuguese domestic scoring charts with 20 goals.



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