Antwerp’s Champions League campaign is hanging by a thread. After a humbling at the hands of Barcelona, they should have managed to beat Shakhtar Donetsk at home after going into half-time 2-0 up. However, they managed to throw it away, with the reliable Toby Alderweireld unable to convert a last minute penalty to at least secure a point. Now, the side face Portuguese giants FCPorto at home. With two defeats already, the Great Old simply have to win to keep their chances of even finishing third alive.
Their opponents are currently second with three points from their first two games. They managed to overcome the Ukranian side at their temporary home ground in Hamburg 3-1, before a narrow 1-0 defeat to Barcelona. Sergio Conceicao’s side are currently third in the Liga Portugal, three points behind leaders Sporting CP. They’ve won six, drawn one and lost one of their opening eight leagues games.
Antwerp will be without a handful of key players for the clash. Mandela Keita looks set to miss out, with summer signing Jacob Ondrejka also still sidelined. Mark van Bommel’s side are also coming in to the game after suffering a dramatic defeat to Charleroi at the weekend. Twice they came back from a goal down to level away to the Zebras, before Marco Ilaimaharitra’s second penalty in the 87th minute proved to be decisive. Antwerp are currently sixth in the Pro League, with 17 points from their opening 11 games. The defending champions have won four, drawn five and lost two.
After FC Porto, the sides only home game left in the competition will be against Barcelona. Losing on Wednesday night will make their chances of finishing third very unlikely.
GBeNeFNÂ |Â Ben Jackson
