Scottish Premiership challengers Rangers will be hoping Morelos, Defoe and Sheyi Ojo can fire them to a Europa League triumph in Porto.
Ivan Marcano knows he will be in a game tonight with the Porto centre-back bracing himself ahead of a tough battle against Rangers stars Alfredo Morelos, Jermain Defoe and Sheyi Ojo, speaking to the Herald.
Steven Gerrard’s side are hardly the favourites heading into a daunting Europa League clash with the Portuguese giants but they still have the firepower to cause Porto plenty of problems at their cavernous Estadio do Dragao ground.
Morelos and Defoe have 27 goals between them this season already while Liverpool loanee Ojo scored the winner on matchday one, stunning Feyenoord with a rocket of a shot from outside the penalty area.
Morelos is likely to be given the nod in Portugal with ‘El Buffalo’ taking the Europa League by the horns so far, battering Feyenoord into submission before showcasing his clinical finishing to find the net against Young Boys.
But Marcano knows that, whoever he faces, he won’t have a quiet evening.
“I think Rangers are a good team but an aggressive team. They are very physical,” said the 32-year-old Spaniard, who has played over 30 European games in Porto’s colours.
“They have players that can make the difference – guys like Morelos , Defoe and Ojo so we have to be wary of them.”
As Marcano points out, Porto have conceded just four goals in seven Primeira Liga games so far this season, although their defensive record on the continent has been far less impressive.
Sergio Conceicao’s side were slack and error-prone in their 2-0 defeat in Rotterdam earlier this month and Morelos will be licking his lips if the hosts perform like that again when Rangers come to town.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
