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Sports / Football

Football: Porto poised for semis after stunning Bayern

Published: 16 Apr 2015 - 09:52 am | Last Updated: 15 Jan 2022 - 04:36 am

 

Porto, Portugal--Porto have one foot in the Champions League's semi-finals after their shock 3-1 win at home over Bayern Munich in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, first leg.
Porto carry a weighty advantage to Munich for Tuesday's return leg at the Allianz Arena while Bayern have a glimmer of hope after their away goal, but still need to score at least twice at home.
"That result is a surprise and we knew it wouldn't be easy against a side who control possession," said Porto captain and goal-scorer Jackson Martinez.
"But we took our chances and proved that we can play too.
"I don't feel 100 percent still, but I trained hard in the last few days and was pleased to get a goal," he added having missed the previous six weeks with a hamstring injury.
In Munich, Porto will be without Real Madrid-bound defender Danilo, who is suspended after picking up a late yellow, but they deserved their win after exploiting mistakes by Bayern's Xabi Alonso and Dante.
"We always want to play from the back and this style can sometimes be dangerous, but mistakes are part of football," said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm.
"The 3-1 defeat hurts, but nevertheless there is still all to play for in the return leg."
Host coach Julen Lopetegui got one over his ex-Barcelona team-mate Pep Guardiola with Porto poised for a first semi-final appearance since 2004 when they won the Champions League under Jose Mourinho.

AFP