Benfica-Salzburg is a match valid for the first day of the Champions League group stage and is played on Wednesday at 21:00: lineups, predictions.
Benfica were one of the great revelations of the last Champions League, finishing in Europe’s top eight for the second consecutive time.
The Lusitanians had been at their best in the group stage, finishing first in a group that also included Psg and Juventus. Their continental adventure ended in the spring quarter-finals, when they were beaten in both the first leg and the return by Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan. Ironically, it is the Nerazzurri who will be the main antagonists for first place in Group D, which also includes two interesting teams such as Real Sociedad and Salzburg. Compared to last year, Benfica has changed little. There have been a few disposals – the most important being Ramos and Grimaldo, sold to PSG and Bayer Leverkusen respectively – but on the other hand, former Feyenoord player Kokcu, Cabral from Fiorentina and, above all, Angel Di Maria, who returned to wear the red and white after thirteen years since the last time. Benfica’s league opener was a 3-2 defeat at home to Boavista, but four victories have followed in the four games since then. Roger Schimdt’s men currently have 12 points, one less than the three teams at the top: Porto, Boavista and Sporting CP.
Salzburg outsiders in Group D
On the first day of the group stage, Benfica will host Austrian champions Salzburg at the Da Luz, who are chasing their 11th consecutive triumph at home this year.
Salzburg players
There is no longer Matthias Jaissle on the bench of the Austrian club, who now coaches Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League: in his place has come Gerhard Struber, who so far has not made his predecessor regret his actions. Salzburg got off to a strong start in the league, racking up six victories in a row. The winning streak was interrupted just last weekend, with a draw (2-2) at home to Sturm Graz, the only team trying to keep up with Dedic and his teammates for the time being. Salzburg are therefore always competitive despite losing pieces practically every year, selling off their talents by the bushel: in the summer the Slovenian starlet Sesko left Austria, who ended up at Leipzig’s sister club, and the various Seiwald, Okafor and Adamu. This year all eyes are on Konaté, already with four goals.
The Prediction
Two teams united by their offensive vocation, but also by their ability to replace players who are disposed of in front of unwinnable sums. Benfica lost a few pieces but kept the same game plan, adding elements of absolute quality such as Di Maria. Lusitani favourites, although Salzburg will not be the sacrificial victim in Lisbon: they are likely to score at least one goal.
Benfica v Salzburg likely line-up
- BENFICA (4-4-2): Trubin; Bah, Otamendi, António Silva, Aursnes; Di María, João Neves, Kökçü, João Mário; Rafa Silva, Cabral.
- SALISBURG (4-3-1-2): Schlager; Dedić, Pavlović, Baidoo, Terzić; Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath, Kjærgaard; Gloukh; Šimić, Konaté.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
