Champions League
Benfica v Dortmund Preview
By: Dehinbo Timothy
SL Benfica face the task of stopping Borussia Dortmund’s free-scoring attackers when these two former European Cup-winning clubs face off on Wednesday at the Estadio de Luiz in Lisbon for the first leg of their round of 16 UEFA Champions League tie.
Dortmund set a scoring record in the group stage, hitting 21 goals as they finished above Real Madrid CF in Group F and now turn their sights on Benfica, the two-time winners who finished as Group B runners-up behind SSC Napoli.
Benfica are looking to reach the quarter- finals for the third time in the past six seasons. Last year they beat FC Zenit 1-0 at home and 2-1 away at this stage before a 3-2 aggregate loss to FC Bayern München in the last eight.
They had the fewest points (eight) of the 16 teams that survived the group stage. Rui Vitória’s men have lost 2 of their last 10 UEFA Champions League home fixtures (W5 D3).
One of those defeats was against Napoli (1-2) on matchday six. Including last Year April’s 2-2 home draw with Bayern in the quarter-finals. Benfica are unbeaten in four home matches against German opposition.
The last Bundesliga side to beat them in Lisbon were FC Schalke 04, 2-1 group stage victors in December 2010. Their overall home record against German clubs is W10 D8 L2.
For Borussia Dortmund, they are seeking a third quarter-final appearance this decade. Dortmund had never won in Portugal until 2016 but are now chasing a third victory there in the last 12 months having
already scalped Porto in last season’s UEFA Europa League round of 16 (1-0) and Sporting Clube de Portugal (2-1) in this term’s group stage.
already scalped Porto in last season’s UEFA Europa League round of 16 (1-0) and Sporting Clube de Portugal (2-1) in this term’s group stage.
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Julian Weigl scored in the latter success, which Dortmund followed up by beating Sporting 1-0 at home. Dortmund’s record-breaking 21-goal haul in the group stage included ten away goals, six of which came in their 6-0 stroll at Legia Warzsawa on matchday 1.
Overall, Thomas Tuchel’s team have lost just two of 11 European away fixtures played since the start of last season (W7 D2 L2). Benfica’s Pizzi and Andreas Samaris are a booking away from a ban; Andrija Živković is serving a one-game suspension.
Benfica have won 12 of their 15 fixtures in all competitions, losing two of them, since the 2-1 home defeat by Napoli on matchday six.
Benfica star, Jonas, the 32-goal leading marksman in the Portuguese top flight last season, has scored eight times in all competitions since returning from a four-month injury lay-off on 17 December.
Benfica star, Jonas, the 32-goal leading marksman in the Portuguese top flight last season, has scored eight times in all competitions since returning from a four-month injury lay-off on 17 December.
Benfica signed Filipe Augusto from Rio Ave last month. They made UEFA Champions League squad changes with Andrija Živković, Filipe Augusto coming in, with João Carvalho, Guillermo Celis, Gilson Costa, Álex Grimaldo, Gonçalo Guedes Dortmund dropping out.
Guerreiro will incur a suspension with his next booking for Benfica.
For Dortmund, they were nine matches undefeated in all competitions, drawing six of them, prior to Saturday’s 2-1 loss at low side SV Darmstadt 98.
For Dortmund, they were nine matches undefeated in all competitions, drawing six of them, prior to Saturday’s 2-1 loss at low side SV Darmstadt 98.
Tuchel’s side overcame Hertha BSC Berlin 3-2 on penalties in the German Cup third round on 8th of February. The German team signed 17-year-old Swedish international Alexander Isak from AIK on 23rd January, although the teenager has not been included in Dortmund’s UEFA Champions League squad.
The Schwarzgelben announced on 5 February that Leverkusen defender Ömer Toprak will join the club in the summer.
Dortmund have made UEFA Champions League squad changes
with Mikel Merino moving in, and Adrián Ramos dropping out.
Benfica have been impressive in their domestic league, while Dortmund haven’t really been impressive, but this is a European competition and Dortmund also have lots of goals in this season competition.
with Mikel Merino moving in, and Adrián Ramos dropping out.
Benfica have been impressive in their domestic league, while Dortmund haven’t really been impressive, but this is a European competition and Dortmund also have lots of goals in this season competition.
They can’t be ruled out suddenly, but Benfica are at home and should edge Dortmund with a slim victory.
PREDICTION: SL BENFICA 2-1 BORUSSIA DORTMUND
