Porto pinning hopes of famous comeback on forward Marega

PORTO: Moussa Marega’s (pic) path to the top in football bears little resemblance to the career enjoyed by Thierry Henry, but the Porto striker does share something in common with the France legend.

“We are from the same town. We were both born in Les Ulis” in the Paris suburbs, Marega told UEFA. com.

“He was my first idol. He is also a striker, and I always dreamed of being a striker and scoring as many goals as him.”

As a late arrival at the elite level, the 28-year-old Malian international forward may never match Henry’s statistics.

However, his goals have played a big part in his club’s success over the last 18 months and he is set to again lead the Porto attack in today’s Champions League quarter-final, second leg against Liverpool at the Estadio do Dragao.

Last week, Marega was a menace to the Liverpool defence at Anfield but could not prevent his side slumping to a 2-0 defeat that means their hopes of progressing to a first semi-final since they won the trophy in 2004 appear slim. Marega, though, had an excuse. “Marega spent practically the whole day throwing up,” said his coach, Sergio Conceicao.

Porto have won all four home games in the Champions League this season, but memories of Liverpool’s last visit remain fresh – the Premier League side romped to a 5-0 win in northern Portugal in the last-16 first-leg tie a year ago.

Marega did not score then, but he was his side’s top marksman with 22 league goals as they won the Portuguese title.

This season he has 18 in all competitions, including six in eight Champions League matches, among them a precious goal in the 3-1 win at home to Roma in the last round.

Ahead of this week’s matches, only Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski – each with eight – have scored more.

Marega and Porto are dreaming of chalking up another famous Champions League comeback having already overturned a first-leg deficit against Roma.

“There are still 90 minutes left in the tie and I call on all our supporters to turn out and create the same atmosphere as against Roma,” said Conceicao.

“We will of course give everything on the pitch to try to get through.” — AFP