Trailing 2-1 on aggregate after last week’s loss at the MHP Arena, VfB Stuttgart have it all to do tomorrow night as they take on Porto from 21:00 CET. A one-goal win after 90 minutes would be at least enough to force extra-time.
It goes without saying that Stuttgart’s coach and players were left frustrated after the first leg. “We briefly lost our composure,” said Sebastian Hoeneß, referencing the two goals Porto scored in a 7-minute spell last Thursday.
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On a positive note, the Swabians clinched a crucial win over RB Leipzig on Sunday. A goal from Deniz Undav proved to be the winner, enabling Stuttgart to climb level to third and level with Hoffenheim in the race for Europe.
Meanwhile, their Portuguese opposition Porto will be more than content with their night’s work in Baden-Württemberg. That 2-1 win on the road has laid the foundations for fans to be rocking at the Estádio do Dragão.
The trip becomes all the more daunting for Stuttgart considering Porto have yet to be defeated on home soil this season. That record consists of 18 wins and just 2 draws across all competitions, underlining their dominance.
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Last weekend’s Liga Portugal endeavours threw up no surprises either – Gabri Viega, Oskar Pietuszewski and William Gomes struck to give Francesco Farioli’s team a routine 3-0 victory over FC Moreirense.
Team news:
Porto have a clean bill of health barring long term absentees Nehuén Pérez (ACL rupture), Luuk de Jong and Samu Aghehowa (both ACL tears). Otherwise, Farioli can line out as he pleases with plenty of quality in his squad.
Similar to last week’s match, Stuttgart will travel to Porto without Lazar Jovanovic (back) and Josha Vagnoman (thigh). While the latter is a blow, at least Hoeneß can call upon the likes of Lorenz Assignon at full-back.
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Predicted lineups:
FC Porto (4-3-3): D. Costa – A. Costa, Bednarek, Kiwior, Sanusi – Fofana, Rosario, Viega – William Gomes, Moffi, Sainz
VfB Stuttgart (3-4-1-2): Nübel – Jeltsch, Chabot, Hendriks – Leweling, Karazor, Stiller, Mittelstädt – El Khannouss – Undav, Demirovic