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Porto v Basel preview

Julen Lopetegui and Paulo Sousa had a similar mindset as they assessed FC Porto v FC Basel 1893, deeply respectful of their last-16 opponents but quietly confident too.

The week in numbers

Porto and Basel locked at 1-1 following first leg in Switzerland
Julen Lopetegui: "We started this journey without a ticket but now we are here"
Porto have won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions
Marco Streller could be playing his last European game after setting retirement date
Porto top scorer and captain Jackson Martínez ruled out

Possible lineups
Porto
: Fabiano; Alex Sandro, Maicon, Marcano, Danilo; Casemiro, Herrera, Evandro; Brahimi, Tello, Aboubakar.
Out: Jackson Martínez (groin)

Basel: Vaclík; Xhaka, Schärm, Samuel, Safari; Frei, Elneny; González, Zuffi, Gashi; Streller.
Out: Ivanov (cruciate ligaments), Traoré (thigh), Delgado (illness), Suchý (suspended)

Julen Lopetegui, Porto coach
We are talking about the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the opportunity to be among the best eight in the competition. We are level and Basel will ensure that we have to be at our best to go through.

The game will be played at maximum intensity and we will have to perform to our best in every respect. We are looking to overcome a team who have had an excellent Champions League campaign this season and in previous years.

To come out on top in this game, we need to defend well, first and foremost. They have a lot of players who can cause us problems as well as plenty of experience in their team and speed in attack.

I'm sure our fans will be behind us and create an incredible atmosphere. We started this journey without a ticket – we had to earn it – but now we are here.

Paulo Sousa, Basel coach
This feels amazing. It's something really special to compete at this level and we are happy to be here, competing against the best – we are confident and positive. Any time we can relieve the pressure posed by Porto we can create difficulties. That might be when our goal appears.

We believe that contrary to the first leg, we will be able to keep the ball in our ranks and create chances this time. There will be moments when we will have to defend, but I believe we will create more opportunities than we did in the first leg.

We have been growing since the winter break. We are better now [than in the first leg], we have played more games and our decision-making has improved – that is crucial. It's vital at this level to be able to release the pressure.

Danilo confident of Porto progress

Porto created a lot of difficulties for us because of their quality. Porto have been growing and I expect the same quality. They are a team that don't concede many goals – a team, don't forget, that are yet to lose in the Champions League.

Weekend results
SC Braga 0-1 Porto (Tello 73)
Basel 3-0 FC Thun (Gashi 45+1 58, Streller 52)

Form guide (all competitions)
Porto: WWDWWW
Basel:DDLWWW

Match fact
• Porto have been beaten only once in seven fixtures with Swiss sides, succumbing 3-0 at Grasshopper Club Zürich in their 1980/81 UEFA Cup second round second leg for a 3-2 aggregate reverse. Find out more in our extensive match background.

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