Facing an opponent each thriving and in disaster, Benfica could not be higher positioned to proceed their good type within the Champions League.
The Portuguese facet will look to defend a 2-0 lead from the primary leg in opposition to Club Brugge at house on Tuesday. Benfica are aiming to achieve the quarter-finals of Europe’s high membership competitors for the second consecutive season, a feat they completed 5 a long time in the past. It was eradicated within the final eight by eventual runners-up Liverpool the earlier yr.
There aren’t many groups in Europe in nearly as good type as Benfica, who’re 12 matches unbeaten in all competitions. It has gained 10 of these matches, together with the final 4 and eight of the final 9. It didn’t lose within the group stage of the Champions League, profitable its group forward of powerhouses Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. Benfica additionally comfortably lead the Portuguese league.
Meanwhile, Brugge have gained solely twice in 11 matches since England coach Scott Parker took over in December. It deepened into disaster on Friday with a 3-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Oostende within the Belgian league, prompting followers to demand a proof from gamers and Parker admitting his job was in danger.
“Now it’s about showing character and not backing down,” Parker mentioned. “This is a huge challenge for everyone at the club. The players will face even bigger challenges in their lives and professional careers. The important thing now is to work very hard together and do whatever we can to respond.” Can do this.”
The Belgian champions have been one of many surprises of the group stage, ending second behind Porto forward of Bayer Leverkusen and Atlético Madrid. This made it to the knockout rounds for the primary time in 10 makes an attempt.
Of the final 45 instances a crew gained the primary leg on the street by two or extra targets, solely as soon as did it fail to progress – PSG in opposition to Manchester United in 2018-19.
Benfica, European champions of 1961 and 1962, have been eradicated after profitable the primary leg solely thrice in 31 makes an attempt. It final made the quarter-finals in consecutive seasons in 1967–68 and 1968–69.
The defeat to Liverpool in final season’s quarter-final first leg was one in every of solely three defeats for the Portuguese membership of their final 24 European matches at house. This yr’s competitors started within the third qualifying spherical.
Coach Roger Schmidt doesn’t need to take any probabilities with a few of his gamers who should not totally match, together with Gonzalo Guedes, who’s nursing a left knee harm. Also out injured Julian Drexler, Chiquinho and Mihailo Ristic.
The coach might enhance the debuts of two just lately signed gamers – Kasper Tengstedt and Andreas Schjelderup.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
