Benfica-Juventus is a match valid for the fifth day of the group stage of the Champions League and is played on Tuesday at 21:00: statistics, likely formations, predictions, live TV and streaming.
Lisbon last resort. Juventus are no longer in a position to make calculations or think of unlikely combinations if they are to avoid finding themselves out of the Champions League knockout phase nine years after the last time. To ensure the Da Luz stadium does not conjure up the ghost of Istanbul 2013, when the Bianconeri then led by Antonio Conte got bogged down on the snowy turf of Turk Telecom pierced by a goal from former Inter man Sneijder, they have only victory at their disposal. They only need to win after the momentous embarrassment of a fortnight ago in Israel against Maccabi Haifa (2-0), which reduced their hopes of making it through to the next round to a smidgen and forced president Agnelli to take centre stage, even speaking of “shame” and anticipating the decision, agreed with the coach, to send the whole team into retirement.
An earful that nevertheless seems to have done Juventus good, who after the Israeli disaster have rediscovered compactness and aggressiveness, and for the first time this season they have racked up two wins in a row in the championship. The success in the derby della Mole with Torino, beaten with minimal effort thanks to a Vlahovic strike, was followed by last Friday’s victory against Empoli. Against the Tuscans, Massimiliano Allegri’s men put in their best performance of the season, winning 4-0 and sending into goal three players in search of redemption such as Kean, McKennie and (twice) a reborn Rabiot.
Benfica’s momentum and likely line-ups
Joao Mario exults after scoring in first leg
But what will it take to keep hoping for qualification? Juve, as mentioned, have no choice: any result other than victory would decree their elimination. Benfica, for their part, are one step away from the round of 16: all they need is a draw for the Lusitanians and hope that Maccabi Haifa, as is probable, do not beat Psg, who are first on equal points (8) with Roger Schimdt’s team, close to an epoch-making feat. Benfica are still undefeated on all three fronts and, since their 2-1 victory at the Stadium on 14 September, have also had two draws with Psg and, last weekend, won the Primeira Liga big match against Porto, who were beaten thanks to a Rafa Silva goal.
In their own league, the Biancorossi are firmly at the top of the standings with a six-point lead over Braga-Porto. As for the line-up, Schimdt can once again count on David Neres, one of the best players in the first leg, and the only doubt is on the right flank, where Bah and Gilberto will compete for a place. Allegri, on the other hand, will repropose the 3-5-2 with the attacking tandem formed by Vlahovic and Milik. For the rest, the coach will rely on the same team that beat Empoli. Nothing to do for the convalescent Chiesa and Pogba.
The prediction
Benfica, in addition to their undoubted technical qualities, have shown themselves to be a very solid team, and this was clearly seen in the double-header against Psg, who were stopped twice. That is why Juventus will have to achieve a real feat to defeat Lisbon and avoid elimination. Significant steps forward have been seen in the championship, but the Champions League is another thing and it is not surprising that even the bookmakers consider the Portuguese to be slight favourites. In our opinion, however, the Bianconeri will at least manage to avoid defeat: a draw, although useless for Allegri, cannot be ruled out. In any case, we hypothesise a second half with more goals than the first, but in the context of a challenge in which the total number of goals will still be less than four.
Benfica v Juventus likely line-ups
- BENFICA (4-3-2-1): Vlachodimos; Bah, Antonio Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Florentino, Fernandez; David Neres, Joao Mario, Rafa Silva; Ramos.
- JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Milik, Vlahovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
