In the Eagles’ den. Buoyed by a resounding 2-0 away win, Benfica hosts Nice in the second leg of the third qualifying round with plenty of confidence to draw on. The Portuguese side’s experience in this type of match is a decisive advantage for Bruno Lage’s men, who are now called upon to finish the job.
With the support of their home crowd, Pavlidis and his teammates now have their sights set on the prize. After beating Feyenoord and Sheffield United, Les Aiglons missed the most important appointment of the season (at least so far). In the first leg, the Rossoneri not only got their approach wrong, but also denied themselves the chance to get back into the game, revealing obvious limitations from the waist down.
As things stand, only a miracle could put Nice in a position to scare Benfica, who are now well on their way to qualifying for the next round. However, the Portuguese side will need to take a serious approach to the game to minimize those lapses in concentration—especially when in possession, where the French excel—that could turn the tide of the match.
Benfica-Nice, match prediction
At the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, the visitors will have nothing to lose and will try to impose their rhythm, relying on the speed of their wingers and the verve of Moffi. However, with a midfield further strengthened by the addition of Rios, Benfica know how to manage the various moments of the match, alternating high pressing with elaborate ball movement to flush out their opponents.
That is why, even in the context of a match that promises to be electric and characterized by plenty of chances at both ends, the Eagles have everything they need to seal victory in the second leg after already putting one foot in the next round. The 4-4-2 formation that Lage will use for his starting eleven, which is balanced and has quality in attack, is another piece that fits into this mosaic.
The previous results also ‘condemn’ Nice: Benfica have won both matches against the French side, who have only won three of their last ten away games. This is too little to hope for an upset. Our prediction, therefore, sees the Portuguese side as favorites in a game in which more than two goals should be scored.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS:
BENFICA (4-4-2): Trubin; Dedic, A. Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Rios, Barrenechea, Schjelderup; Ivanovic, Pavlidis. Coach: Bruno Lage
NICE (3-4-3): Diouf; Mendy, Bah, Dante; Clauss, Boudaoui, Louchet, Bard; Bouanani, Moffi, Jansson. Coach: Franck Haise
THE PREDICTION: 2-1