One down, two to go

Portuguese champion targets treble success

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) -- The Porto juggernaut has arrived.

Portugal's most successful club of recent times, seeking an unprecedented sweep of three trophies this season, faces Celtic in the UEFA Cup final here on Wednesday.

Porto has already won its 12th Portuguese league title in 19 years, clinching the championship with four rounds to play and a 14-point lead. It will meet minnow Leiria in the Portuguese Cup final on June 15.

Porto scored in 37 consecutive games this season and won 13 straight matches in its final charge to the league title.

"We're in peak form, technically, physically and psychologically," coach Jose Mourinho said. "We've never changed the way we play to fit our adversary, and we won't now."

The northern Portuguese side won the European Champions Cup in 1987 and also became intercontinental champion after beating Paraguay's Penarol in extra time.

In recent years, though, Porto hasn't advanced past the quarterfinals of the Champions League or the UEFA Cup.

Mourinho, who took over as coach midway through last season, is credited with the turnaround.

Under the 40-year-old former assistant to Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal at Barcelona, Porto has gelled into a cohesive unit combining on-the-ball skill and tactical acumen.

"He's got his team playing very fluidly and flexibly," Celtic manager Martin O'Neill said. "They are able to change tactics during the game."

Mourinho has nurtured a blend of veteran players such as goalie Vitor Baia, central defender Jorge Costa and midfielder Costinha with youngsters such as 20-year-old striker Helder Postiga and right-back Paulo Ferreira.

He has also turned mid-level players into stars.

Deco, a Brazilian-born midfielder, has become the best player in the Portuguese championship; Maniche came from Benfica's 'B' team to grab a regular place in the Portugal side; and Brazilian striker Derlei, an off-season signing from Leiria, is the top scorer in the UEFA Cup competition.

 

Related information

Stories

2003 UEFA Cup Final Index

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video