Champions League play-offs: Fenerbahçe vs Benfica facts

José Mourinho faces a reunion with the first team he coached as his Fenerbahçe side welcome Benfica to the Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi in Istanbul for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off.

Last match

Benfica won all the previous three ties between these teams, 2-1 on aggregate in the 2018/19 Champions League third qualifying round (1-0 h, 1-1 a), 3-2 in the 2012/13 UEFA Europa League semi-finals (0-1 a, 3-1 h) and 7-1 in the 1975/76 European Cup first round (7-0 h, 0-1 a).

Fenerbahçe have lost only one of their previous six matches at home against Portuguese visitors (W4 D1) and are unbeaten at home against Benfica (W2 D1).

Benfica have won all six two-legged ties, and are unbeaten in their last seven matches (W3 D4), against Turkish teams.

Fenerbahçe

Fenerbahçe are aiming to reach the Champions League proper for the first time since 2008/09, their sixth appearance in the group stage.

Fenerbahçe have lost both of their play-off ties, most recently 0-5 against Arsenal in 2013/14 (0-3 h, 0-2 a).

That is one of eight qualifying eliminations the Yellow Canaries have suffered since that 2008 group stage appearance – one of only four times they have successfully negotiated the qualifying rounds in 14 previous appearances.

In 2024/25, Fenerbahçe lost to LOSC Lille in the third qualifying round (1-2 a, 1-1 h aet). They went on to reach the Europa League round of 16, where they lost 2-3 on penalties to Rangers after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Benfica

This is Benfica’s 45th European Cup campaign, behind only Real Madrid (56).

The Eagles have participated in the group stage/league phase in 14 of the last 15 seasons; they missed out only in 2020/21, when they were beaten by PAOK in the third qualifying round.

In 2024/25, Benfica were 16th in the league phase, overcoming Monaco 4-3 on aggregate in the knockout phase play-offs before losing 1-4 to Barcelona in the last 16 (0-1 h, 1-3 a).

Benfica have won all four of their play-off ties, most recently beating Dynamo Kyiv 5-0 on aggregate in 2022/23 (2-0 a, 3-0 h). They are still yet to lose a match at this stage (W5 D3).

Key stats

Mourinho was in charge of Benfica from 20 September to 5 December 2000 – his first head coach position. He won six of his 11 games in charge (D3 L2).

Fenerbahçe began this season in the third qualifying round, beating Feyenoord 6-4 on aggregate (1-2 a, 5-2 h).

The Turkish team have lost only three of their last 23 home European matches (W16 D4).

Benfica won 2-0 both away and at home against Nice in this season's third qualifying round.

Those two victories are as many as Benfica managed in their previous seven Champions League matches (D2 L3).

Benfica have won their last six Champions League qualifiers and are unbeaten in the last ten – winning nine.