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Tense battle likely in Champions League final between Monaco & Porto
Gelsenkirchen, May 26: Final training sessions for Monaco and Porto. Jose Mourinho believes Porto and Monaco have a duty to provide an entertaining Champions League final on Wednesday (May 26).
Gelsenkirchen, May 26: Final training sessions for Monaco and Porto. Jose Mourinho believes Porto and Monaco have a duty to provide an entertaining Champions League final on Wednesday (May 26).
This has been a season of surprises in the Champions League, with perennial favourites Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal and AC Milan failing to make it even to the semi-finals.
The two finalists have caused their fair share of upsets, with Porto knocking out United and Deportivo Coruna. Monaco, now in their first final, beat Real and Chelsea. Porto were 40-1 and Monaco 80-1 to win the cup at the start of the group stage.
Porto have built their success on tight defence and discipline in midfield and Monaco coach Didier Deschamps is expecting a tense, tactical battle.
Mourinho is proud of his side's attacking prowess, though, and he is promising to provide a platform for the inventive Brazilian-born Portugal international Deco Souza to win the final for his side.
Porto, European champions in 1987, won their second European honour by beating Celtic in the final of last season's UEFA Cup.
Victory on Wednesday would make them only the second team after Liverpool in 1976 and 1977 to win the UEFA Cup and European Cup in successive seasons and their experience 12 months ago should serve them well.
Monaco coach Didier Deschamps knows all about Champions League finals and he predicts Wednesday's against Porto will be a tight, nervy match.
Deschamps said he was fully aware that the side coached by Jose Mourinho were much more than a dull defensive machine.
The Monaco coach said he had a plan to look after Porto's inspiration in midfield, Brazilian-born Portuguese international Deco Souza, but would not elaborate.
The 35-year-old Frenchman lifted the coveted trophy with Marseille in 1993 and Juventus in 1996, and could now become to youngest coach to win it.
Deschamps said Monaco, 80-1 to win the cup at the start of the group stage, would consider themselves outsiders against the 2003 UEFA Cup winners.
Bureau Report
Porto, European champions in 1987, won their second European honour by beating Celtic in the final of last season's UEFA Cup.
Victory on Wednesday would make them only the second team after Liverpool in 1976 and 1977 to win the UEFA Cup and European Cup in successive seasons and their experience 12 months ago should serve them well.
Monaco coach Didier Deschamps knows all about Champions League finals and he predicts Wednesday's against Porto will be a tight, nervy match.
Deschamps said he was fully aware that the side coached by Jose Mourinho were much more than a dull defensive machine.
The Monaco coach said he had a plan to look after Porto's inspiration in midfield, Brazilian-born Portuguese international Deco Souza, but would not elaborate.
The 35-year-old Frenchman lifted the coveted trophy with Marseille in 1993 and Juventus in 1996, and could now become to youngest coach to win it.
Deschamps said Monaco, 80-1 to win the cup at the start of the group stage, would consider themselves outsiders against the 2003 UEFA Cup winners.
Bureau Report