The prestigious “league of millions”, which could see two teams from Lisbon among the best in Europe (Sporting are already there by direct entry), knows tonight the last teams, including Benfica, to enter the league phase of the Champions League, which started a new format last season.
In this new format,the clubs ranked 1st to 8th at the end of the league phase, in which eight matches are played, qualify for the knockout stages ; while the clubs ranked 9th to 24th qualify for the knockout stage play-off; and the clubs ranked 25th to 36th are eliminated.
Good run of results
Benfica arrive on the back of a winning streak and a solid defensive record, having won every official match this season and having gone six consecutive games without conceding a goal.
Motivation is therefore high after another quiet win against Tondela last weekend, after having “survived” the first clash with Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, where they secured a draw (0-0) despite being down a player for the last 20 minutes of the game,
On the Turkish side, José Mourinho’s Fenerbahçe won their last league game and field an experienced team, motivated by finally returning to the Champions League after a 17-year absence.
Our” probable 11
With Benfica going for a 4-4-2 formation, we’re guessing that this will be their likely starting XI:
- Anatoliy Trubin (CR)
- Amar Dedic
- António Silva
- Nicolás Otamendi
- Andreas Dahl
- Richard Rios
- Enzo Barrenechea
- Kerem Akturkoglu
- Fredrik Aursnes
- Vangelis Pavlidis
- Franjo Ivanović
The match will take place at the Estádio da Luz, tonight at 8pm, and will be broadcast on Sport TV5.
The importance of this match for the city of Lisbon
Lisbon can enter the group stage with two teams: Benfica and Sporting, and this is the biggest stage in European club soccer.
Such an achievement would represent not only more international visibility for Portuguese soccer, but also significant revenue for the clubs and the city, as well as affirming Lisbon as a true capital of European soccer.
Lisbon awaits with anticipation and hope, on a Champions League night where every fan of the eagle club dreams of their team at the top of European soccer. The stage is set and the excitement is promising!
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