Deportivo Coruna are hoping home advantage will help them earn a place in the Champions League final, but opponents Porto say they are unfazed by the prospect of playing at the Riazor on Tuesday.
"It is a very important game in the history of Deportivo," said captain Mauro Silva who will miss the game because of a suspension. "The support of the fans will be crucial in a game like this and especially against such a strong team as Porto."
| |||||||||||
But UEFA Cup holders Porto have put together an equally impressive away record which has seen them remain undefeated in all five of their trips in this season's competition.
"The statistics show that Deportivo win all their home games," said Porto coach Jose Mourinho. "But they also show that Porto never lose away and always score goals. One of the records will have to end on Tuesday."
The 41-year-old said that after their successes in previous rounds, the Riazor would hold no fear for his team.
"People have talked about the pressure of playing away, but I talked to the team about that before we played at Manchester United and I'm not going to waste time on that again. The pressure here is not comparable to that at Old Trafford. It may help Deportivo but it certainly won't hinder us.
"With the scores at 0-0 after the first leg this game is going to be like a final for us, the only difference is that we are playing it at our opponents' stadium."
For Deportivo a place in a first ever European final is at stake, while for Porto, who have already wrapped up the league title and secured a place in the final of the Portuguese Cup, there is the prospect of completing a remarkable treble for a second season in succession.
The Champions League final takes place on May 26.
