Group L: Our opponents

FC Porto have won the Portuguese championship on no less than 24 occasions, including 4 out of the last 5. Last season they had to concede their crown to Lisbon giants Benfica, but they still picked up silverware in the shape of the Portuguese Cup. The club boasts a rich history, littered also with recent triumphs. In 2004 star coach Jose Mourinho guided Porto the the European Champions League crown. Their star studded line up and intimidating home ground, the 50,000 capacity Estadio Dragao (setting of the 2004 Euro Championship opening ceremony), make the Portugeuse a fearsome opponent and possibly the toughest hurdle for the Hütteldorfers to overcome in group L. 

Of particular interest to Veli Kavlak, Tanju Kayhan and Yasin Pehlivan are Besiktas. The black and white third of Instanbul are managed by german Bernd Schuster and boast top names such as Guti, formerly of Real Madrid fame, in their line up. Istanbul always represents a tough away day and the games against the Turkish oppostion could prove to be key to qualification. 

The last oppostion ensure another trip to Sofia for Rapid. Following the success over Stara Zagora, Rapid must once again look to defeat Bulgarian oppostion in the shape of CSKA Sofia. The powerhouses of Bulgarian football have 31 domestic titles to their name and an excellent European pedigree to boot. The matches against the Bulgarians represent an opportunity to collect points but will be far from easy. 

Fixtures:

FC Porto – SK Rapid
Thursday, 16. September 2010
Kick Off: 21:05 

SK Rapid – Besiktas Istanbul
Thursday, 30. September 2010
Kick Off: 19:00  

CSKA Sofia – SK Rapid
Thursday, 21. October 2010
Kick Off: 19:00 

SK Rapid – CSKA Sofia
Thursday, 4. November 2010
Kick Off: 21:05 

SK Rapid – FC Porto
Thursday, 2. December 2010
Kick Off: 19:00

Besiktas Istanbul – SK Rapid
Wednesday, 15. December 2010
Kick Off: 21:05