Bayern Munchen host Benfica in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, hoping they will reach their fifth consecutive semifinals.
Bayern Munchen are looking to transmit their good Bundesliga form to the Champions League. After hard-fought victory against Juventus, new obstacle for their fifth consecutive Champions League semifinals are Benfica. Even though no one can say Benfica are a bad team, they are one level below Juventus so the Bavarians should have an easier job than in the round of 16.
Bayern have played two games after the Juventus game and they won both of them with the identical result – 1:0. They’re maintaining five points ahead of Borussia Dortmund so Guardiola’s men can be more focused on winning the Champions League.
Even though rumors about his transfer to Real Madrid were pretty loud, Robert Lewandovski delighted Bavarian fans before the big game by signing a new contract. The Polish scored 25 goals in the Bundesliga this season,  added eight more in the Champions League so he should be the biggest danger for Benfica’s goal.
Benfica doesn’t have as comfortable situation in domestic championship as the Bavarians. Even though the Eagles won six games in a row, Sporting are following them closely with only two points behind so they don’t have the right for the wrong step.
The Lisbon side were pretty lucky in with the Champions League draw in this season. They were in a group with Astana, Galatasaray and Atletico Madrid where they passed on to round of 16 as second, behind Atletico. In the round of 16, Javier Zanetti brought luck to the Portuguese team as he paired them with Zenit.
Jonas is playing in a great form this season, scoring 30 goals in the Primeira Liga. We’re all aware of Bayern’s problems at the back line so Jonas or Mitroglou could seize it and make the job harder for the Bavarians.
Head to Head
These two opponents have met six times throughout the history. Bayern recorded four victories with two draws, while Benfica are still looking to beat Bayern for the first time. In those six matches, Bayern have scored 16 times and Benfica only four so the history definitely isn’t on Benfica’s side.
Match Facts
- 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.
- Benfica have reached the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2011/12 (eliminated by eventual winners Chelsea)
- No team has picked up more cards than Benfica in this season’s Champions League (24 yellows and 1 red card).
- No player has delivered more assists than 19-year-old Kingsley Coman in the Champions League this season (5).
- The Bavarians have scored the most goals in this season’s Champions League (25 in 8 games).
Team News
Pep Guardiola stil has big problems forming his back line with definite absences of Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber, while Mehdi Benatia is doubtful, but could start. Arjen Robben is also highly doubtful.
Rui Vitoria can’t count on Julio Cesar, Lisandro Lopez and Luisao.
Predicted Lineups
Bayern Munchen: Neuer; Lahm, Benatia, Martinez, Alaba; Alonso; Ribery, Vidal, Muller, Costa; Lewandowski
Benfica: Moraes; Almeida, Nillson, Jardel, Eliseu; Samaris, Sanches; Jonas, Gaitan, Pizzi; Mitroglou.
From : SS.com
