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If the Champions League matches were decided by money or experience, today Manchester City would easily beat FC Porto. According to the transfermarkt, the English squad is worth € 1,008 million compared to the Portuguese’s 251 million. Therefore, it is worth four times more. City have, along with Liverpool, the most valuable squad of the 32 Champions League participants, while FC Porto has only 19.
Manchester City has three players among the 20 most economically valuable in the competition, in a list led by Mbappé (PSG), valued at 180 million euros: Sterling (128), De Bruyne (120) and Bernardo Silva (80) . The three most valuable dragons, Corona, Felipe Anderson and Marega, appear in places 156, 171 and 209, respectively, with values of 30, 25 and 20 million.
In terms of experience in the competition, here too City have a great advantage. Citizens players have a total of 584 Champions League games against just 178 of the Dragons. About three more times. Regarding the goals scored in the LC, Pep Guardiola’s leaders have 116 against only 20 for Sérgio Conceição. Almost six times more. The more experienced of the two teams is Pepe (98 games) followed by Fernandinho (88).
However, as we know, the dollar signs do nothing when the ball starts to roll. If he were in charge, Pep Guardiola’s City (first season: 2016/2017) would not lose unusual points in all group stages to teams much less economically powerful: Shakhtar Donetsk (1-1 in 2019/2020), Lyon (1 – 2 in 2018/2019), Basel (1-2 in 2017/2018) and Celtic (1-1 in 2016/2017).
It may be that today the City lose points. But if you lose them, this time it will not be strange, as FC Porto won seven international events (2 Cups / Champions League, 2 UEFA Cups / Europa League, 2 Club World Cups and 1 European Super Cup) against only one of the Manchester City (1969/1970 European Cup Winners’ Cup).
Game 400
There are also other interesting facts about FC Porto. This will be his match of 400 in European competition: 187 wins, 83 draws, 129 losses and 600-452 in goals. Less interesting is the balance with the English opponents. He never won in England: 17 defeats, 3 draws (two with Manchester United and one with Liverpool, in 2003/2004, 2008/2009 and 2017/2018) and 19-49 in goals. At home, yes, the difference is favorable to the dragons: 20 games, 8 wins, 7 draws, 5 losses and 27-20 in goals.
