Porto plan to attack Mourinho's Chelsea

PORTO, Portugal, Feb 20 (Reuters) Jesualdo Ferreira's Porto will stick to their own style and spirit and play to win their first knockout round Champions League game against English champions Chelsea tomorrow.

''Porto will play in the style they are known for: playing to win,'' the Porto coach told a news conference today.

''We will face the game with a strong will to win. We want to win and build here a springboard for success in the tie,'' Ferreira said.

Porto travel to Stamford Bridge for the second leg in two weeks' time.

The wealthy London side, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich and coached by Jose Mourinho, the man who led Porto to the Champions League title in 2004, start favourites to qualify for the quarter-finals.

''Chelsea are strong collectively and as a group that has had the same leadership for more than two years,'' Ferreira said.

Ferreira is the fifth coach Porto have employed since Mourinho's departure, which sparked an exodus of talent from the northern Portuguese side. Two defenders, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira, followed Mourinho to Chelsea.

The Chelsea manager arrived in the city today to a surprisingly warm welcome and happily signed autographs at the airport.

The 43-year-old expected a mixed reception with many fans angry that he deserted the club immediately after the Champions League triumph.

He was taunted two seasons ago when the sides met in the group stage of the competition. Chelsea won the home tie 3-1 and lost in Porto 2-1 after already qualifying for the next round.

REUTERS AB RK2225