Porto goalkeeper Iker Casillas has insisted that his side can overturn their first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund to reach the last 16 of the Europa League.

The Bundesliga outfit picked up a 2-0 win in the first leg last week to put themselves in a commanding position heading into Thursday's return fixture at the Estadio do Dragao.

However, while acknowledging that it will be an "extremely difficult" match, Casillas is hopeful that his side can make the most of their home advantage.

"This is an exciting week that's starting with a difficult and decisive match for us to remain in Europe. We are going to keep pushing ourselves and work hard to win and I'm confident that, with the ever-present support of the fans, we can do it. We are Porto," Casillas wrote on his official website.

"We are facing Borussia Dortmund after we complicated our mission in Germany, as we lost 2-0 at Westfalenstadion. But now we are playing at home at the Estadio do Dragao with our people, and we are going to try for an epic turnaround in a difficult - extremely difficult - match.

"We just won important matches against Moreirense and Benfica, and we want to continue this good momentum."

Dortmund go into the match having won six and drawn one of their seven outings since returning from the winter break.