Benfica-Celtic: European nerve of eagles tested against old known

O Benfica will seek, on Thursday night, to achieve the second victory in the single league phase of the Europa League, in the reception to the Scottish Celtic, in a meeting that is valid for the second day of this phase of European competition.

On the first journey, about a month ago, the class that is guided by Marco Silva achieved an important triumph in Italy in the visit to AC Milan, Ruben Amorim. After this period, the Club of Light again faces a former European champion, in a meeting that promises to be of strong emotions.

This will be the new meeting between the Benfica Celtic in European races, with eagles winning in the four receptions to Catholics, the first in the European Champions Cup in 1969/70, when the Scots reached the final, and the last in 2012/13 in the Champions League group stage.

Since there is no championship game this weekend – the third round of the Cup of Portugal is held – Marco Silva may not make so many changes in the eleven for this meeting with the British, like what he did during the visit to Milan, which preceded the trip to FC Porto.

Still, it is almost certain that the red coach will be able to make a change in the starting team, perhaps to be options for the European duel next week at the home of the Cypriots of Omonia.

The duel between Benfica and Celtic has an initial whistle scheduled for Thursday 8 p.m. (Portugal Time) and will be whistled by Nikola Dabanovic, who will lead an arbitration team 100 percent Montenegrina, composed by assistants Srdan Jovanovic and Vladan Todorovic and the fourth referee Milos Savovic. In the VAR, there will be the Dutch Pol van Boekel, assisted by the Swiss Fedayi San.

Coaches in direct speech

Marco Silva

What are the expectations and differences for the battle with Hearts? “A different game in relation to Hearts, first for the phase we are in. We are at a different stage of the Europe League, eliminating. There's been talk of the size of Celtic, what they're capable of and how used to playing to win. His track record and history in Scottish football speak for themselves. It'll be different and we have to prepare ourselves in the best way. We played on Sunday and want to continue the beginning. We've played a lot of games in this competition. We started with the right foot in Italy and we want to continue the good results with our supporters. We expect an excellent atmosphere. It's a team that brings in a lot of fans and we, playing at home, have felt comfortable. It is perceived that there is an increasing link between the team and the adept mass. When that happens, we become very strong.”

Is team at a point where you can change parts without losing routines? “ I believe so. The game in Italy had different characteristics, but in that game there were good answers. This next month until the stop will give us opportunities to see something like this happen. With 3/4 games we can see whether it is a reality or not, and if when we change the impact not by the negative, but by the positive, by the opportunity of others entering and showing service. There's always a risk and I've assumed it, but there are routines that it's important some players have. There is a foundation that begins to be created. The players were excellent in Italy. In some positions I answer that it is a matter of individual characteristics, in others it has to do with other issues.”

English football experience: “Of course I follow Scottish competition. Celtic is a great club, we will face a great one in Europe, with great tradition and who is used to fighting. They want to react to the bad start. They're used to the pressure. It's gonna be hard. It's always great when you feel the environment and of course Celtic fans will want to show it. But it is also not easy to play in our stadium.”

Martin O’Neill

Adversary: “They have a lot of confidence because they started the competition in Milan, something that is not easy. They have very good players, but so do we, so we want to try to cause them some problems.”

High demand: “Benfica played a great game against Milan, is a Champions League team and are one of the favorites to win this competition. It will be a great experience for us.”

Benfica Game with Hearts: “We watched this game, they [Benfica] played very well here against Hearts, but I don’t think I can get much out of it. In the end, all that happened was to prove how good Benfica is, but if we show our capabilities and what we can do, then I think we can also cause problems.”

Last results

Benfica: V-V-V-D-V

Celtic: V-D-D-D-V

Last elevens

Benfica: Samuel Soares, Alexander Bah, Alessandro Circati, Tomás Araújo, Samuel Dahl, Leandro Barreiro, João Palhinha, Rafa Silva, Gianluca Prestianni, Andreas Schjelderup and Vangelis Pavlidis.

Celtic: Viljami Sinisalo, Colby Donovan, Dane Murray, Liam Scales, Kieran Tierney, Mika Baur, Callum McGregor, Camilo Durán, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti and Kasper Hogh.

Absence

Benfica: Daniel Banjaqui, Jakub Kaminski, Enzo Barrenechea and Jaden Umeh (injured);

Celtic: Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Callum Osmand and Hyun-Jun Yang (damaged); Camilo Duran (in doubt).