Benfica welcome Bayern Munich to the Estádio da Luz stadium for their first game in this year’s Champions League Group E. The battle between two of Europe’s most decorated clubs could bring an epic battle as they both attempt to get off to the best of starts. Group E also includes Dutch giants Ajax and Greek side AEK Athens.
The Germans will feel that they have the upper hand going into this game the previous eight meetings have seen Bayern remain undefeated. Benfica will be desperate to put last year’s disastrous Champions League campaign behind them and secure a victory.Their recent form against German sides could give them confidence, having not lost in five home games.
Benfica and Bayern Munich Do Battle in Group E
How They Qualified
Benfica qualified after battling it out with Porto for the Portuguese title. Porto eventually won with Benfica settling for second place. Águias (The Eagles) won 25 of their 34 games, finishing the season on 81 points. Two tough matches against Fenerbahçe in the third qualifying round saw them narrowly win 2-1 on aggregate. The play-off against Greek side PAOK saw a 5-2 aggregate win.
Bayern comfortably won last season’s Bundesliga, winning the title by 21 points. Munich lost just four league games and scored 94 goals as they won their fifth consecutive title.
Last Season in the Champions League
The Eagles had an extremely disappointing time in last season CL. They finished bottom of their group which featured Manchester United, Basel and CSKA Moscow. They lost all six matches, conceding 14 goals and scoring just one.
Bayern qualified from the group stages in second place. They finished on 15 points, the same as PSG; however, the Paris side had a far better goal difference. In the knockout stages, Beşiktaş were easily beaten 8-1 on aggregate. A tougher test in the quarter-finals came via Sevilla. A narrow 2-1 aggregate win saw them through to the semi-finals. They faced Real Madrid in two hard-fought but exciting games, Madrid just emerging as the victors 4-3 on aggregate.
Champions League History
Benfica were at their best in the Champions League/European Cup in the 1960’s. They won the trophy twice and were runners-up a further three times. Success in the competition has been sparse since. Only twice since the 1960’s have they reached the final, ending up as runners-upon both occasions.
Bayern’s Champions League/European Cup history has seen them lift the trophy on five occasions. Their best period came during the 1970’s, where they won the competition on three occasions. In the last seven seasons, they have succeeded in reaching at least the quarter-final stage, reaching at least the semi-final on four occasions.
Current Form
Benfica have had a good start to the season. The Eagles currently top the Primeira Liga. After four games they have won three and drawn one. They have also scored ten goals in their opening games. Their victories to reach the group stages of the Champions League will give them added confidence.
Munich have played just the three league games so far. But three wins see them sit at the top of the table. Nine goals have been scored in those three games. The German Cup and Super Cup have also seen victories.
Team News
Benfica are expected to name their strongest team as they attempt to overcome their German rivals. They have failed to do so in their previous eight attempts and will be desperate for that record not to continue. Bayern will be without Corentin Tolisso, who ruptured a cruciate ligament in the last match against Bayer Leverkusen. Brazilian full-back Rafinha also suffered an injury against Leverkusen. He has suffered a partial ankle ligament tear and is expected to be out for several weeks.
Main Photo
