SL Benfica are looking to reach a first European Cup semi-final since 1990 but FC Bayern München will have other ideas as they travel to Lisbon with a fifth straight last-four appearance in their sights.
Bayern’s 1-0 first-leg victory was as close-fought as the scoreline suggests and in truth many were surprised at how much of a threat Benfica posed. It looked as if Bayern would take a firm grip on the tie when Arturo Vidal headed them in front in the second minute in Munich, but that was all they had to show for their efforts in a tight first leg. Bayern were unable to build on that early advantage, being worked hard by Rui Vitória’s side.
Like Bayern, Benfica were also successful at the weekend thanks a 2-1 win over Academica de Coimbra and – again like Bayern – are leading the way domestically with five games of the season to go, having also claimed 24 wins in the league this season.
Raúl Jiménez’s 85th-minute strike kept the Eagles on course for their 35th Portuguese title, the Mexican controlling with his chest and swivelling to finish as Benfica came from behind to beat Académica in Coimbra. Nuno had put the home side in front 17 minutes in, but Kostas Mitroglou replied before the break, getting a head to Pizzi’s cross for his 19th Liga goal of the campaign.
While the lead is slender, Bayern will know that a scoreless draw at the Estadio da Luz will be enough for a place in the semi-final draw, to be made in Nyon on Friday. Bavarians will remain favorites to progress, but will need to up their game for what is bound to be an intimidating atmosphere in Lisbon.
Head to Head
Bayern recorded a 1-0 home win against Benfica in the first leg last Tuesday, as Arturo Vidal put them in front inside two minutes.
The teams have met in three previous ties – and not only have Bayern won them all, they have gone on to reach at least the final of the competition on every occasion.
Benfica’s 40 games against German clubs have ended W12 D13 L16 (W10 D7 L2 in Lisbon). They are unbeaten in three home games, since a 2-1 UEFA Champions League group stage loss to FC Schalke 04 in December 2010. Bayern’s 3-1 win in December 1995 is the only other time a visiting German side have left Benfica with a win.
Twelve months ago, Bayern went down 3-1 at FC Porto in the quarter-final first leg, but turned the tie round spectacularly with a 6-1 second-leg success in Munich. That Porto defeat ended Bayern’s 15-match unbeaten run against Portuguese opposition. Their overall record is now P25 W15 D8 L2 F56 A18. They have won all their previous nine two-legged knockout ties against Portuguese opposition. Bayern’s only other defeat by a Portuguese club was also against Porto, in the 1987 European Cup final.
Match Facts
- 68% of teams who have won 1-0 at home in the first leg of a Champions League game have gone on to progress to the next round (19 out of 28).
- Bayern Munich have knocked out Benfica in each of their three previous home/away encounters in European competition (1975/76 European Cup, 1981/82 European Cup, 1995/96 UEFA Cup).
- In each of those previous encounters, Bayern Munich then went on to reach the final that same season, winning the European Cup in 1976 and UEFA Cup in 1996 whilst losing against Aston Villa in the 1982 European Cup.
- Bayern Munich have made it to the Champions League semi-finals in five of the last six seasons.
- Meanwhile, Benfica haven’t made it to the semis of the Champions League/European Cup since 1989/90.
- Benfica have won only one of their seven Champions League games against German sides (D1 L5), it was against Kaiserslautern in November 1998 (2-1).
- Benfica’s home record in the Champions League against German sides is perfectly balanced: one win, one draw and one loss (3 goals for, 3 conceded).
- Bayern Munich have scored twice as many goals as Benfica in this season’s Champions League (26 to 13). The Bavarians had six shots on target in the first-leg to Benfica’s one.
Team News
S.L. Benfica
Out: Júlio César (thigh), Jonas (suspended), Lisandro López (back), Nuno Santos (knee)
Doubtful: Nicolas Gaitán (thigh)
Benfica will be without top scorer Jonas, who has 18 goals in as many appearances for the club in 2016, due to suspension. Julio Cesar (thigh), Lisandro López (back) and Nuno Santos (knee) remain sidelined through injury, while Nicolas Gaitan, who is struggling with a thigh injury despite playing the full 90 minutes at the weekend.
Bayern München
Holger Badstuber (ankle) and Jerome Boateng (groin) are ruled out through injury. Mehdi Benatia (groin) remains a doubt too, while further forward there are concerns over the fitness of Kingsley Coman (thigh) and Arjen Robben (groin).
Possible line-ups
Benfica: Ederson; André Almeida, Lindelöf, Jardel, Eliseu; Fejsa, Renato Sanches, Gaitán, Pizzi; Raúl Jiménez, Mitroglou.
Bayern: Neuer; Lahm, Kimmich, Alaba, Bernat; Vidal, Thiago; Costa, Ribéry; Müller, Lewandowski.
From : SS.com
