Two FCB contenders for Goal of the Month

Once again it’s time for the public vote for Germany’s Goal of the Month, with two Bayern strikes among the five contenders for March. David Alaba makes the shortlist with his stunning direct free-kick to open the scoring in the DFB Cup Round of 16 meeting with Eintracht Braunschweig. And the other FCB candidate is Michael Freudlsperger, the 16-year-old Reds fan with Down Syndrome who heart-warmingly tucked away a penalty against keeper Tom Starke during the half-time interval in the Bundesliga meeting with Gladbach. The results will be announced on 11 April.

Porto win at a canter

Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final opponents FC Porto cruised to victory in the Portuguese league on Monday evening. Boss Julen Lopetegui’s men beat GD Estoril Praia 5-0 in front of their home crowd with goals from Oliver (33), Vincent Aboubakar (45), Ricardo Quaresma (52, 77) and Danilo (70). Porto are now undefeated in 11 league games and lie second in the standings, three points off leaders Benfica with seven to play. The final warm-up for Lopetegui’s men ahead of the home meeting with Bayern on 15 April is a weekend trip to the north of the country to face eighth-placed FC Rio Ave. “We’re getting better with every day and every match,” declared midfielder Casemiro.

FC Porto line-up against Estoril Praia: Fabiano - Danilo, Martins Indi, Marcano, Sandro - Herrera (Neves 53), Casemiro, Oliver (Quintero 72) - Quaresma, Brahimi (Santos 61), Aboubakar

Tello ruled out of Bayern showdown

Like Bayern, Porto will also be without a key individual when the sides meet in the Champions League: gifted 23-year-old Christian Tello has torn a hamstring and is likely to miss both games against FCB. Tello, a product of the Barcelona youth academy, has seven goals and eight assists to his name in the league this term, with a goal and two assists in the Champions League.