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Preview: Benfica v Leverkusen

Roger Schmidt says Bayer 04 Leverkusen will not take it easy as they hunt a first-place finish in Group C, but he is all-too-aware of SL Benfica's remarkable home record.

Roger Schmidt is hoping his Leverkusen side can secure top spot in Group C on Tuesday
Roger Schmidt is hoping his Leverkusen side can secure top spot in Group C on Tuesday ©AFP/Getty Images

Roger Schmidt says Leverkusen will not take it easy as they chase top spot
Success would seal pole position in Group C for the Werkself
Jorge Jesus believes that his charges "have a responsibility to win"
Benfica defeated just once in 15 European home matches
Leverkusen have won only two of their last nine away games

Permutations: Benfica (4pts) v Leverkusen (9)
Leverkusen are through and will clinch first place if they win, or if they draw and Monaco do not win.
Benfica will finish fourth.

Possible lineups
Benfica: Artur; André Almeida, Jardel, Lisandro López, Benito; Cristante, Pizzi; Tiago, Ola John, Nélson Oliveira, Derley.
• Out: Luisão (suspended), Samaris (suspended)

Leverkusen: Leno; Jedvaj, Toprak, Spahić, Wendell; Rolfes, Castro; Bellarabi, Çalhanoğlu, Son; Kiessling.
Out: Papadopoulos (shoulder), Reinartz (cheekbone), Donati (shoulder), L Bender (stomach)

Jorge Jesus, Benfica coach
The truth is that we have no chance of continuing in Europe. Still, we have a responsibility to win. Our Champions League record is always important – the points don't count in terms of qualification, but they do for our identity, especially to those players that will be involved. There is no sporting risk because we are out, but we'll try to be competitive against Leverkusen even using some players that don't play often.

We know we have earned prestige in Europe over the last five seasons, and we want to be among the best, but this time it didn't happen. Still, Benfica's players are obliged to play to win because that is what we demand. There is plenty at stake for the less-used players tomorrow, because I will watch them. By the end, hopefully we can say that we have four or five more players that can help us in future.

Roger Schmidt, Leverkusen coach
We were not happy with the loss against Bayern, but there were some positives that give us confidence for this match in Lisbon. We want three points in order to win the group and after that we have three important matches, so we'll have some rotation in the team.

We expect Benfica will want to end on a high with a win. The group was very close and Benfica were unlucky and could, for instance, have won at Zenit. The fact is that in 15 European home matches they have only lost one, which shows their strength. All our players take great joy in playing and that desire is greater in Europe. They'll take this match seriously and won't take it easy. I plan to make a change or two because some players have played a lot, but still, the aim is to win.

Weekend results
Benfica 3-0 CF Os Belenenses (Lima 64, Pérez 70pen, Salvio 83)
FC Bayern München 1-0 Leverkusen (Ribéry 51) 

Form guide (all competitions)
Benfica: WWLWWW
Leverkusen: LWLWDW

Match facts
• How have Leverkusen fared on their two previous trips to Lisbon? Find out in our match background.

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