Boavista require road show

The territorial dominance enjoyed by Boavista FC in last week's home game with FC Bayern München confirmed that the Portuguese champions are deserving of a place in the final 16 of the UEFA Champions League. But if they are to continue in the competition beyond the second group stage they have to begin picking up points away from home, starting with Tuesday's return in the Olympiastadion.

Home games the key
For the holders the equation is fairly straightforward: maximum points from their two remaining home games will install them in the quarter-finals for the fourth successive season irrespective of what happens when Bayern visit Manchester United FC in two weeks' time.

Statistics support Bayern
The statistics heavily favour the German team. On the six occasions they have entertained Portuguese opposition, a 1-1 draw with FC Porto in the 1990/91 season proved to be the only occasion they could not celebrate a victory. All four trips to Germany by Boavista have ended in defeat including the 2-1 reverse against BV Borussia Dortmund in the first group stage.

Road reverses
More pertinently perhaps, since drawing 1-1 at Liverpool FC in their first group stage match, Boavista have returned empty-handed from their three subsequent road trips - including a 3-0 reverse in Manchester on Matchday Eight.

Goals at a premium
An open affair in the Olympiastadion with a generous helping of goals is unlikely. Bayern, with only one goal conceded, have the best defensive record in the second group stage while Boavista have more points than goals - four against one. Although last week's tame affair would not rank as one of Bayern's better performances in Europe they continue to compile evidence of a return to somewhere near their best. The weekend fixture with FC Energie Cottbus saw them romp to a 6-0 victory to bring their record from the last nine league games to three wins, three defeats and three draws.

Kahn penalty miss
Claudio Pizarro's two goals and a single strike from Giovane Elber put the pair joint top of the 1. Bundesliga scoring charts with 12 apiece and left Bayern in fifth place. Mehmet Scholl embroidered an impressive individual display with two goals and in the last minute goalkeeper Oliver Kahn was offered the chance to open his scoring account but failed to convert a penalty. "We're back in the race for the top positions," said coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. "This kind of victory gives us a lot of confidence but we still have a long way to go."

Turra suspended
Since Matchday Eight Boavista have strengthened their bid to retain their league title, winning eight and losing just one of their last eleven games. Last Saturday Jaime Pacheco's side came from behind to beat SC Farense 2-1 in Faro with Erwin Sánchez notching a penalty equaliser and Rui Lima striking the winner six minutes later. For Tuesday's game they are without defender Paulo Turra, suspended after picking up a third yellow card last week.