Former Fiorentina and Benfica striker Nuno Gomes believes that the upcoming Champions League round of sixteen first leg between Inter and Porto will be essentially too close to call.
Speaking to Italian news outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, the Portuguese former striker also named the likes of striker Mehdi Taremi and midfielder Otavio among the players who the Nerazzurri will most have to watch out for from Porto’s squad.
Inter are now just one week away from meeting Portuguese champions Porto in the first of two Champions League clashes.
Neither side have been anywhere near perfect in their respective domestic league campaigns, but both have proven quality in Europe and will see the upcoming round of sixteen tie as a real opportunity moving forward.
As far as former striker Gomes is concerned, there is no real favourite in the tie, and either of the pair could hope to reach the quarterfinals.
“I’d say that the chances for progressing are 50/50,” the former striker predicted.
“They’re two teams with fantastic players, capable of deciding the match with a single moment of inspiration.”
“It’s difficult to predict who goes through,” he added.
“Porto are a very experienced and tough team, very much shaped in the image of their coach [Sergio Conceicao],” Gomes argued.
Asked which Porto players Inter will most have to look out for, Gomes noted that “Porto have had some injuries and I don’t know who will be available, but in my opinion Taremi, Pepe, and Otavio are players they’ll have to keep an eye on.”
He continued that “Diogo Costa is a great goalkeeper.”
“Galeno is very quick, and then there’s Pepe in defense who’s like a Port wine, just getting better as he ages,” he added.
