After losing their opening two games in Group B, things were looking bleak for Porto in terms of UEFA Champions League knockout qualification. However, four consecutive group wins later and Porto had booked their place in the round of 16 as Group B winners, scoring 11 goals and conceding just one in the process. However, Sergio Conceicao has a number of injury headaches to contend with coming into this first leg.
The two-time UEFA Champions League winners will be missing at least three players for their trip to Italy, with Evanilson, Francisco Meixedo and Gabriel Venon all confirmed as unavailable. Conceicao is also sweating over the fitness of midfielder Mateus Uribe, vice captain Otavio and winger Galeno. The latter in particular, was a top performer for Porto across the group stage, accruing three attacking returns and also winning his side two penalties. To lose any of those three players though, would be a big blow to Porto.
One man who is fully-fit and set to lead the line is striker Mehdi Taremi, scorer of five goals already in this season's UEFA Champions League, including two assists. It's crucial that Conceicao sets Porto up in a way which supplies Taremi with goalscoring opportunities and the likelihood is that he will opt for a 4-4-2 formation, as has been the case in recent matches. The versatile Pepe could start alongside Taremi in attack, but alternately, the 25-year-old Brazilian may be shifted out wide should Galeno be ruled out through injury, with Danny Namaso starting up top.
Pepe's namesake, the Porto skipper and vastly experienced stalwart who will soon be celebrating his 40th birthday will play a key role in central defence alongside Spaniard Ivan Marcano, whilst left-back Zaidu Sanusi is likely to be afforded license to roam forward by Conceicao.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Diogo Costa; Joao Mario, Pepe, Marcano, Zaidu; Grujic, Eustaquio, Andre Franco, Pepe; Taremi, Namaso
UNAVAILABLE: Meixedo (Injured), Veron (Injured), Evanilson (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Cardoso (Injured), Galeno (Injured), Otavio (Injured), Uribe (Injured)