Bayern wary of Europe's in-form side Benfica
Monday, April 4, 2016
Article summary
Josep Guardiola concedes that Bayern are considered favourites whoever they play, but a Benfica side that have won 19 of their last 20 games could merit top billing in their quarter-final.
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Article body
- Bayern boss Josep Guardiola insists that Benfica are favourites
- The Portuguese side have won their last eight games, and 19 of their last 20 outings
- Bayern lost 3-1 to Porto in last season's quarter-final first leg
- Benfica striker Jonas took his 2015/16 tally to 30 league goals at the weekend
- Rui Vitória says that above all he wants the visiting players "to have fun"
Possible lineups
Bayern München: Neuer; Lahm, Kimmich, Alaba, Bernat; Alonso, Vidal; Coman, Ribéry (Costa); Müller, Lewandowski.
Out: Boateng (adductors), Badstuber (ankle)
Doubtful: Robben (adductors), Benatia (adductors)
Misses next match if booked: Boateng, Kimmich, Lewandowski, Vidal
Benfica: Ederson; André Almeida, Lindelöf, Jardel, Eliseu; Fejsa, Renato Sanches, Gaitán, Pizzi; Jonas, Mitroglou.
Out: Júlio César (thigh), Luisão (broken arm)
Doubtful: none
Misses next match if booked: Luisão, Jonas, Gonçalo Guedes, Pizzi
Josep Guardiola, Bayern coach
I am Bayern coach and we always want to be the best but I really don't think we are the favourites going into this. Benfica are playing very well at the moment and I have to admit I am very impressed.
Their stats are very good. They know exactly what to do, they know how to read the game. [Kostas] Mitroglou and Jonas are very strong and in the box they have lots of quality.
But we are Bayern, and Bayern are always considered favourites. I have lots of respect for them and for Portuguese football. Remember what happened last year in Porto ....
For the people of Munich I understand and accept that only the treble will do. If we don't win it, I know for many it is simply not good enough. But there are many quality teams. The most important thing is that we give it our best shot.
Rui Vitória, Benfica coach
From a tactical point of view, Bayern are on another level. The style is almost second nature now. They know how to adapt to every situation during a game. We need to stay focused and play as a team as much as possible.
In the Champions League we are just taking it one game at a time – that has got us this far. We have no fears. We have analysed our opponents and they are a strong team, but we will give our all to get a good result here in Munich.
I would like to win the game – I want to win every game – but I know how difficult it will be. We have belief. We will play with enthusiasm, with spirit and desire. And we want to enjoy it. I want my team to have fun.
Weekend results
Bayern 1-0 Eintracht Frankfurt (Ribéry 20)
Franck Ribéry's first goal of 2016 was enough for Bayern to remain five points clear of Borussia Dortmund with six matches to go. Bayern had 13 shots on target but visiting goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky was in insipired form. Bayern have not conceded a league goal against Frankfurt for 757 minutes, a new Bundesliga record between two clubs. It was also Manuel Neuer's 150th clean sheet in the league.
Benfica 5-1 Braga (Mitroglou 17 71, Jonas 37pen, Pizzi 40, Samaris 75; Pedro Santos 90+3pen)
Jonas reached 30 league goals for the season as Benfica stayed clear at the Portuguese summit. Kostas Mitroglou took his Liga tally to 18 goals while Andreas Samaris found the target ten minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Bayern: WWWWDL
Benfica: WWWWWW
Reporter's view: Jordan Maciel (@UEFAcomJordanM)
Bayern fought back from 2-0 down in Munich against Juventus in the round of 16, but Guardiola will be hoping for a more straightforward home victory on Tuesday. Benfica know they will need to tame Bayern's free-scoring attack if they are to have any chance going into the return leg in Lisbon next week.
Did you know?
The teams have met in three previous ties – and not only have Bayern won them all, they have gone to on reach at least the final of the competition on every occasion. Read more in our match background.