If you were to rank the remaining Champions League sides in the quarterfinals based purely on the fun factor, these two teams might rank the highest. Bayern Munich’s sheer quality lends them the ability to outplay almost anyone around, though instead of simply bowling over their opponents like some teams do, their brand of football is still entertaining enough that you don’t want to stop watching.
FC Porto vs. Bayern Munich preview, Champions League 2015: Bayern limping through the motions
FC Porto have been one of the most exciting sides in the Champions League this season, and they may have a chance to upset a badly battered Bayern Munich side.
Then there’s Porto, the host of today’s match, who despite being something of an underdog in the grand scheme of the Champions League, have built a side that’s hard not to want to watch. They’ve got a lot of exciting young players, and they’re players who fit Porto’s longtime tactical scheme beautifully. It may not be likely that they can overcome Bayern in this quarterfinal match, but they’re going to give it every ounce of effort that they can, and this match is a must-watch because of it.
Team news
Porto are fairly healthy, with only a couple of injury doubts in Jackson Martinez and Cristian Tello to deal with, plus Ivan Marcano sitting out with a suspension. On the other hand, there's Bayern Munich, where Pep Guardiola is scrambling just to fill out his lineup. David Alaba, Mehdi Benatia, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger are out with injury, and Claudio Pizarro is a doubt with a knock of his own. Bayern still have the depth to cope, but only just. If they take even a couple more injuries, the won't be nearly as intimidating as normal.
Projected lineups (left to right)
FC Porto (4-3-3): Fabiano; Alex Sandro, Bruno Martins Indi, Maicon, Danilo; Casemiro, Hector Herrera, Óliver Torres; Yacine Brahimi, Vincent Aboubakar, Ricardo Quaresma
Bayern Munich (4-3-3): Manuel Neuer; Juan Bernat, Dante, Jerome Boateng, Rafinha; Xabi Alonso, Phillip Lahm, Thiago Alcantara; Thomas Müller, Robert Lewandowski, Mario Götze
Key Matchups
Vincent Aboubakar vs. Bayern’s central defense - Porto will likely still be without star striker Jackson Martinez, who is a doubt with the groin injury that’s kept him out for the last month. Aboubakar has done quite well in his absence, though, and he has a chance to really impress today. Dante has been shaky more often than not this season in the middle of Bayern’s defense, and while Jerome Boateng is very good, he’s always ripe for the potential of bizarre mistakes that cost his team dearly.
Casemiro vs. Götze and Müller - The direct support that Bayern can give to Robert Lewandowski in attack is incredible and hard to deal with, even with all of their injuries. Götze and Müller will be spending a lot of time cutting inside to try to overload the middle of Porto’s defense, so Casemiro is going to have to be on top of his game to help provide his center backs a good shield.
Yacine Brahimi vs. Rafinha - Rafinha has outperformed expectations this season, becoming a lineup regular in the constantly shuffling rotation Pep Guardiola has had to employ given all the injuries Bayern have dealt with in defense and midfield. He’s going to have his hands full with Brahimi, though, as the Algerian attacking mid has been very, very good on a consistent basis for Porto over the last couple of years.
Prediction
Porto are a good and lively side, but it’s really hard to see them overcoming the indomitable force that is Bayern Munich. This match will likely end as a 2-1 win for the Germans.
See More:
