LONDON -- Porto coach Julen Lopetegui insists Chelsea's struggles in the Premier League will have no bearing on Wednesday's Champions League Group G decider at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea head into the match knowing a draw will be enough to see them through to the round of 16 regardless of how Dynamo Kiev fare against Maccabi Tel Aviv, but Jose Mourinho and his players are under increased pressure after Saturday's shock 1-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth.
That was Chelsea's eighth loss in 15 Premier League matches, leaving them 14th in the table and 14 points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United, but Lopetegui is adamant the Blues' domestic situation will fade into irrelevance when the two teams take to the Stamford Bridge pitch on Wednesday.
"They are two very different competitions," the Porto boss said in a news conference. "[Chelsea] have one of the best managers in history as well as top players, so we're not expecting this to be easy at all.
"It's strange to arrive at the end of a group with Chelsea not qualified, but it's a magnificent opportunity to play in a great stadium, and they know we have to win to progress.
"We would like to make history as Porto have never won in England before. We have to be perfect to do that."
Porto defeated Chelsea 2-1 the last time the two teams met at Estadio do Dragao in September, and midfielder Danilo says that result has given Lopetegui's men the confidence they need to earn a first competitive victory on English soil.
"The players believe they can win here," the Portugal international insisted. "They believe in the manager and have confidence. It's difficult because Porto have never won here but it's a step we need to take.
"I think it's going to be a very different match [to the first meeting in September]. Chelsea will be at their best. It's a final game, a decisive game for them and us."