text: Easing through a relatively straight-forward group to reach the latter stages, there aren't many who would have tipped Porto to go all the way in the Champions League this season. 11 years ago the Portuguese outfit achieved the impossible as Jose Mourinho guided an unfancied squad to  glory but since then they have flattered to deceive, only reaching the quarter-finals on one occasion before this season. Julen Lopetegui has masterminded an unbeaten Champions League campaign for Porto this season . Ricardo Quaresma scored twice as Porto beat Bayern Munich 3-1 in the first leg of their quarter-final . The Portuguese side beat the odds to claim the Champions League trophy after defeating Monaco in 2004 . Jose Mourinho lead Porto to glory that year but later moved to take over at Chelsea in the Premier League . Julen Lopetegui has assembled an exciting team, a squad based around technical ability and a high-pressing game, a side that demolished Basle 5-1 on aggregate in the last round and are unbeaten in the competition. After finishing third behind current leaders Benfica and Sporting Lisbon last season, the 'Dragons' took quite a risk in opting for Lopetegui. The 48-year-old had only managed two seasons at club level with Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid B before impressing as coach in the Spanish youth ranks. The likes of David de Gea, Koke, Isco and Thiago came through under Lopetegui, while he has brought in Oliver Torres and Cristian Tello to develop a defined style of play. Only Bayern, Barcelona and Juventus can better their average possession of 58 per cent. Yacine Brahimi has been a shining light for Porto in this European campaign, netting a hat-trick against Basle to take his tally to five goals, while he has been credited with three assists. Only Lionel Messi (12) Cristiano Ronaldo (11) and Luiz Adriano (9) have been involved in more Champions League goals this season. But it was not the Algerian who took centre stage last week as Bayern were dismantled. That honour went to Ricardo Quaresma - a maverick figure in the dressing room. Heralded as Portugal's next big thing as a teenager, breaking through at Sporting Lisbon just like Cristiano Ronaldo, Quaresma struggled to live up to his reputation at Barcelona and Inter Milan. Unsuccessful short spells at Chelsea, Besiktas and Al-Ahli followed, and now 31, Quaresma is certainly enjoying his second spell at Porto. Quaresma slots the ball past Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer at the Dragao Stadium . The winger struggled during short spells with Chelsea (left) and Inter Milan (right) Quaresma and his Porto team-mates look relaxed during training at the Allianz Arena on Monday . It was last chance saloon for the winger when Porto gave him a chance in December 2013, having been without a club for six months. Not many top-flight clubs, let alone those challenging the European elite would have given him a chance. But his double against Bayern alone would suggest Porto made the right choice. Quaresma has always been a man with immense technical ability and flair, and his early penalty as well as his desire and finish past Manuel Neuer to send the home crowd into raptures further demonstrated his class. Lopetegui has played Quaresma and Tello either side of Jackson Martinez up front, with three midfield players providing the base. His style of play has been embraced in Porto, while his popularity in his home country may have been a factor in Casemiro and Tello opting for loan moves in Portugal. The Real Madrid and Barcelona duo have relished the first-team opportunities that have come their way. The Brazilian stopper's presence in the holding midfield role, allows the smaller, more technical playmakers around him to strut their stuff. Jackson Martinez is a Premier League target and had lead the line superbly for Porto this season . Lopetegui gives instructions to Brazilian right back Danilo at the Dragao Stadium last week . Oliver Torres (left) and Hector Herrera (right) close down Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago . But that is not to say Porto have lost an identity which has seen them balance their books while remaining successful on all fronts. Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Eliaquim Mangala are just three of a whole host of players who were sold for over £30million, after being bought, comparatively, on the cheap. The above transfer technique comes naturally to Porto; there are no real work-permit issues in Portugal unlike England and the rest of mainland Europe, and South American players can begin playing there whenever they like. That package gives the Primeira Liga side a win-win situation. They pay little to attract talented but relatively unknown stars, while the players themselves want to get to Europe as quickly as possible to elevate themselves on the football ladder - the Champions League is the perfect platform to perform - and possibly attract other bidders. It's certainly a profitable cycle. There are now many more talents who could make a transfer window. Maruading right back Danilo has already penned a deal with Real Madrid, Jackson Martinez is seemingly constantly a Premier League target, while Alex Sandro and Hector Herrera are also highly regarded. That is not to mention Brahimi, who Man United and City are said to be chasing. His influence in the Champions League season would not go amiss at the Etihad Stadium as Manuel Pellegrini's side look to make their mark in Europe. Yacine Brahimi has been Porto's star man in the Champions League and has five goals in the competition . Radamel Falcao (left) and James Rodriguez (right) were sold for big money - as is the club's way . Porto are hoping to knock Bayern Munich out of the Champions League and send shockwaves across Europe . Porto were able to rest nine players against Academica, a victory that kept them just three points behind Benfica at the top of the table after a shoddy domestic start. They haven't lost a game in the league since January. That is in stark contrast to Bayern, who could add Franck Ribery's absence to the likes of Arjen Robben, David Alaba and Javi Martinez. Lopetegui though, maintains that Porto need to play a 'great' game to beat what he claims are one of the best sides in history. 'We have to produce a great performance against one of the greatest teams in the history of Bayern,' Lopetegui, who is a former Barcelona and Spain team-mate of Guardiola, said in his pre-game press conference on Monday. 'I am expecting a superb Bayern team, regardless of who they will end up playing and we are prepared for what will happen. 'It will be a very difficult task but we will try to find simple answers, we like the idea of playing Bayern, who are one of the best teams in the world. We cannot think about what could happen, we must focus on the game tomorrow and try to give the answer on the pitch,' Pep Guardiola and Lopetegui embrace before kick-off of the Champions League quarter-final first-leg . Lopetegui (back left) and Guardiola (back, second right) are former Barcelona and Spain team-mates . Porto defender Maicon points to the sky after Martinez sealed the 3-1 victory against Bayern Munich .
target: Porto are unbeaten in the Champions League so far this season .
  Portuguese side beat Bayern Munich 3-1 in quarter-final first leg last week .
  Julen Lopetegui leading side for return leg at Allianz Arena on Tuesday .
  Ricardo Quaresma was the star man during victory at the Dragao Stadium .
  Lopetegui has changed style but club still sell players for big profit .
  Porto are able to balance books and snap up young South American talent .