12 December 2016
European exploits
Founded in the city of Oporto in 1893, FC Porto are the Portuguese team to have won the most European titles: two Champions Leagues (1987 and 2004), two Intercontinental Cups (in the same seasons), two UEFA Cups / Europa Leagues (2001 and 2003) and a UEFA Super Cup (1987).
This is the seventh time in the last 10 seasons that Porto have reached the Champions League knockout rounds, but they’ve failed to win any of their last nine away games at this stage of the competition (three draws, six defeats).
The situation on home shores
Porto also enjoy a rich history domestically, winning 27 league titles, 16 Portuguese Cups and 20 Super Cups. Their trophy haul on home shores is second only to that of Benfica.
Their 51,000 seater stadium, the Estádio do Dragão, is to be considered something of a fortress. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are unbeaten at the ground this term and have only failed to win there twice so far in 2016/17, drawing to Copenhagen and Benfica.
With 28 points from 13 league matches, Porto sit second in the table, four points off early pace-setters Benfica.
Black and white vs blue and white
Juventus have faced Porto three times in their history and the Italians hold the upper hand in these previous meetings, winning two and drawing once.
Their first ever match-up in the 1983/84 season came in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final, where Juve would end up lifting the trophy thanks to goals by Beniamino Vignola and Zbigniew Boniek.
Their second and third meetings would take place in the Champions League group stage of 2001/02, drawing 0-0 in Portugal before the Bianconeri triumphed 3-1 at the Stadio Delle Alpi with Alessandro Del Piero, Paolo Montero and David Trezeguet on the scoresheet.
Group stage in summary
Porto reached the Champions League group stages by beating Roma in a two-legged playoff back in August (4-1 the aggregate scoreline).
They would make a slow start to life in Group G, however, drawing 1-1 at home to Copenhagen and losing 1-0 to Leicester in their first two games.
A pair of victories against Bruges saw Porto pick up the pace, while their goalless stalemate in Copenhagen on Matchday Five left them knowing that three points at home to Leicester in the final fixture would seal their place in the round of 16, and win they did as they emphatically defeated the reigning English champions and Group G winners thanks to a 5-0 thrashing at the Dragao.
Forward André Silva’s performances have especially stood out this term. The 21-year-old scored four and set up a further two goals in his side’s Champions League group stages.
The defence too has excelled of late, keeping three UCL clean sheets in a row for the first time since they won the competition in 2004.
Case of the ex
Alex Sandro will be the only player facing former employers when Juventus meet Porto: the Brazilian defender made 29 Champions League appearances with the Portuguese outfit before joining the Bianconeri last summer.
