Benfica v Dortmund: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, February 13, 2017
Article summary
Benfica and Dortmund have suffered recent setbacks but remain wedded to their attacking styles, a prospect that could mean no shortage of excitement in Lisbon.
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Article body
- Thomas Tuchel confident BVB can bounce back after shock weekend loss
- Jonas missed Benfica training on Monday due to back problem
- Benfica picked up fewer points than any other team through to last 16
- Eagles have lost just two of 20 home games against German opposition
Possible line-ups
Benfica: Ederson; Semedo, Luisão, Lindelöf, Eliseu; Fejsa, Pizzi, Salvio, Carrillo/Almeida; Jonas, Mitroglou.
Out: Živković (suspended), Lisandro López (knee)
Doubtful: Jonas (back)
Misses next match if booked: Pizzi, Samaris
Dortmund: Bürki; Piszczek, Sokratis, Bartra, Schmelzer; Weigl, Castro, Raphaël Guerreiro, Dembélé, Reus; Aubameyang.
Out: Götze (muscular problems), Bender (ankle)
Doubtful: Rode (groin)
Misses next match if booked: Raphaël Guerreiro
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Rui Vitória, Benfica coach
Jonas is in the squad but he's at his limit and will have difficulty trying to make the game. We will test him on Tuesday and see where we are. If he recovers, he's in; if not, someone else plays.
We're up against a strong team, a tricky side that can count on that characteristic of impressive attacking power. Along with that, they change their system frequently yet they don't drop in intensity.
The key is to study the small details of our opponents and try to control them, all the while trying to stick to our way of playing. We are going to be ambitious and believe in ourselves. Dortmund must also be careful against a team like ours.
Thomas Tuchel, Dortmund coach
It's a big task against a great team with a proud history and a spectacular stadium. Benfica are very strong at home. We must keep our shape and make sure our timing is spot on. We must be quick in transition and accurate in our passing, all the while being very wary about leaving space for Benfica.
We had an unexpected slip-up [against Darmstadt] at the weekend and we have tried to lift the confidence of the players ahead of this game. Scoring goals is always our objective. We encourage the team to score as many goals as possible; it forms part of the club's character to have an offensive mentality.
Weekend results
Benfica 3-0 Arouca (Mitroglou 25 35, Carrillo 49)
Kostas Mitroglou made it 12 goals in as many games to put Benfica in control. Goalkeeper Ederson's 41st-minute dismissal did not halt their progress as André Carrillo struck for the first time since August to complete the scoring
Darmstadt 2-1 Dortmund (Boyd 21, Antonio-Mirko Colak 67; Raphaël Guerreiro 44)
Up against rock-bottom Darmstadt, Dortmund suffered their first defeat since 26 November – a run of ten matches, six of which they have drawn – despite Raphaël Guerreiro's first goal in nearly five months.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Benfica: WWLLWW
Dortmund: LDWDWD
Reporter's view: Paul Bryan (@UEFAcomPaulB)
There's plenty of intrigue surrounding the starting line-ups. Can Jonas shake off his back problem and how will Rui Vitória shape his XI to fend off the visitors' potent attack? For a Dortmund side with dented confidence, unleashing one of Europe's most exciting forward lines will be a tempting prospect. So much is up in the air. The only certainty is that this first-leg encounter will be played out amid a spectacular atmosphere.
Did you know?
Dortmund scored a record-breaking 21 goals in the group stage. Find out more in our extensive match background.