For the first time in 58 years FC Porto and Athletic Bilbao will meet on the pitch when the Basque Country side travels to Portugal to face Group H leaders Porto.
FC Porto vs. Athletic Bilbao, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
Porto can grab control of Group H with a win over struggling Athletic Club.
Juan Manuel Serrano Arce
For Athletic Club the Champions League, and their season at large, as been a nightmare as they’re win less in UCL play and sit 17th in La Liga. Compared to the heights that Ernesto Valvere’s men reached last year, their poor start to the campaign has been a disappointing mystery. Unfortunately for Athletic, things won’t get any easier against Porto.
The Portuguese side have a win and draw so far in competition, good enough for first place and one point lead over BATE Borisov. Porto will be hoping that their rotten luck against Spanish clubs of late changes and allows them to grab control of the group. Porto have been eliminated from European competition by a club from Spain the past two seasons.
Key Player: Jackson Martinez (FC Porto)
It’s inevitable that Jackson Martinez is going to become the next player to make FC Porto a ton of money. It’s become something of a tradition for the Portuguese club to develop stars -- João Moutinho, Falcao and Hulk being the most recent -- and then sell them on to bigger clubs for a tidy profit. Martinez is line to be that guy, but for now he’s scoring goals like it’s going out of style for Porto with three in two UCL matches this season. Slowing him down will be priority number one for Athletic.
Key Matchup: Gorka Iraizoz & Bilbao defense vs. Porto’s attack
Much like the ‘Most Interesting Man in the World’, FC Porto don’t always score goals, but when they do, it can get out of hand quickly. Athletic Bilbao have struggled this season defensively in league play allowing 12 goals in eight matches. While they’ve played a bit better in the Champions League, they’ve yet to face an offense with the potential of Porto. Goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz will likely be called upon early and often to keep Athletic in the match.
Porto injuries and suspensions
Out: Gonçalo Paciência (knee).
Athletic Club injuries and suspensions
Out: Ager Aketxe (toe), Unai Bustinza (hamstring).
Gonçalo Paciência is Porto’s only injury concern as his knee will keep him sidelined. Athletic will be without Aketxe and Bustinza.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Estádio Do Dragão, Porto, Portugal
TV: DirecTV, FOX Soccer Plus (U.S. - English), ESPN Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.), C+ Liga de Campeones / HD (Spain)
Online: FOX Soccer 2Go, ESPN3 (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), SkyGo (U.K.)
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