FC Porto is probably one of the best teams in the Europa League. This was recognized by Peter Bosz and Lucas Paqueta at a press conference a few moments after the draw for the round of 16.
Mixed fortunes for Olympique Lyonnais and AS Monaco in the draw for the knockout stages of the Europa League. The two French clubs will face two Portuguese clubs, FC Porto for the first and Braga for the second. Suffice to say that the big chunk will be for the Gones because the Dragões are transferred from the Champions League after having fought until the last moment for a qualification with Liverpool and Atlético de Madrid. Admittedly, Luis Diaz left for the Reds this winter but the workforce of La Liga leader Bwin remains very competitive.
“He’s a good opponent, I just learned that. It doesn’t interest me too much at the moment because we have a much bigger match in two days (against Lille – 26th day of Ligue 1, editor’s note). But he is a very good opponent who has not lost a match in the league. praises Peter Bosz at a press conference, a few moments after the draw. “We know that it is one of the best teams at the moment”he admits, especially since the statistics do not really lean towards Lyon.
Bosch: “I myself did not beat Porto”
Because if OL have never beaten Porto in 4 confrontations, this is also the case with their coach. “I myself did not beat Porto with Leverkusen. He is a very good opponent, it must be said, with very good players, a coach who has been in place for a long time. They have experience of playing in the Champions League but in a group with Atlético and Liverpool this season it was not easy. For me, the Lille game is really more important at the moment. After LOSC, Lyon will travel to Lorient, then to Porto for the first leg, the date of which is scheduled for March 9.
Then it was the turn of Lucas Paquetá to take the floor to judge this complicated draw. “Porto are a great team. I like meeting these big teams, it’s something that I particularly like, but first there is the match against Lille and then we will focus on Porto. assures the Brazilian, on the same wavelength as his trainer. The attacking midfielder, one of the best this season in Lyon, will be particularly expected to allow his team to move on to the next round.
