Champions League preview: Guardiola not underestimating Porto

Bayern Munich may be missing some of their biggest names when they meet Porto but the Germans are confident they have enough firepower to defend their favourites tag.

Chasing a second treble after 2013, Bayern will be without Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger – but coach Pep Guardiola has shifted the focus away from injuries to their dominant domestic season.

Porto beat them in a memorable European Cup final in 1987 – their only win in five matches against Bayern.

Five-time winners Bayern are looking for a fourth successive semi-final appearance but will also be without injured defenders David Alaba and Medhi Benatia.

Guardiola, however, will have central defender Jerome Boateng, rested in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, back in the squad.

Dress rehearsal

Porto, looking for their first semi-final appearance since winning the trophy in 2004, also enjoyed a successful dress rehearsal, beating Rio Ave 3-1 on Saturday.

Winger Ricardo Quaresma was again on target for them, taking his tally to three goals in two matches.

The two-times European champions are also in the running for more than just one title this season, three points off leaders Benfica ahead of the derby in two weeks.

Porto won four matches and drew twice in the group stage before crushing Basel 5-1 on aggregate in the round of 16.

“We will need two good games to reach the semi-finals,” said Guardiola. “They play an open game . . . they have physical midfielders but with great quality. That is also their biggest asset. Their individual quality.”