Benfica look for repeat PSG performance

SL Benfica will look for a repeat of their only two-legged fixture against Paris Saint-Germain FC as the sides come together in the UEFA Europa League round of 16.

Previous meetings
• The clubs' only previous meetings came in the 2006/07 UEFA Cup round of 16, with Fernando Santos's Benfica losing 2-1 to Paul Le Guen's PSG in Paris, but prevailing with a 3-1 victory in Lisbon. Simão's 89th-minute penalty proved to be decisive following Youssuf Mulumbu's dismissal for a foul on Léo in the box.

• The teams for that game on Lisbon on 15 March 2007 were:
Benfica: Moretto, Nelson, David Luiz, Anderson, Léo, Petit, Katsouranis, Karagounis (João Coimbra 46), Simão, Nuno Gomes* (Paulo Jorge 90+6), Miccoli (Derlei 77).
PSG: Landreau, Mabiala (Mendy 75), Rozehnal, Traoré*, Dramé, Mulumbu, Diane, Gallardo (Kalou 70), Rothen, Pauleta, Luyindula* (Ngog 70).

*eligible to play in this match

Match background
• Benfica have played 20 games against French sides with the record W9 D5 L6 (W6 D4 L0 in Lisbon). They have never lost at home to Ligue 1 opponents.

• PSG's eight matches against Portuguese teams have ended W4 D2 L2 (W1 D1 L2 in Portugal). They have never lost at home against a Liga side.

• Benfica have won nine of their last 11 European home games, only losing once in that sequence when they went down 2-1 to FC Schalke 04 in this season's UEFA Champions League.

• Five of PSG's last six European fixtures have ended in draws, with a 4-2 home win against Sevilla FC on UEFA Europa League group stage Matchday 5 interrupting that run. They have not lost an away game since the start of the group stage, recording a win and then three draws.

Team facts
• Of the sides left in the last 16, FC Twente (1975), Benfica (1983) and Rangers FC (2008) have all been on the losing side in UEFA Cup finals.

• Benfica's Argentinian midfielder Eduardo Salvio is the only player left in the competition who featured (and indeed was on the winning side) in last season's inaugural UEFA Europa League final. The 20-year-old is on loan from Club Atlético de Madrid.

• PSG's Claude Makelele was on the winning side in Benfica's heaviest European defeat. Later a star at Real Madrid CF and Chelsea FC, the defensive midfielder scored as his RC Celta de Vigo side won 7-0 at home (and then drew 1-1 away) against the Eagles in a 1999/2000 UEFA Cup third round tie.

• PSG eliminated an SC Braga outfit coached by Benfica boss Jorge Jesus from the 2008/09 UEFA Cup round of 16, drawing 0-0 at home but prevailing 1-0 away thanks to Guillaume Hoarau's 81st-minute strike.

• Benfica's next defeat will be their 100th in UEFA club competition. This is their 330th UEFA club competition game, making them the most experienced side left in the UEFA Europa League.

• Benfica's next goal will be their 150th in the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Cup (they have played 96 games).

• Benfica boast French talent in the form of 19-year-old left-back Lionel Carole, who joined the club from FC Nantes in the summer; he has yet to represent his new side in Europe.

• Benfica striker Javier Saviola played in two wins for AS Monaco FC against PSG while on loan with the Riviera side in the 2004/05 season; PSG defender Sylvain Armand was on the losing side in both.

• PSG have a notable Portuguese hero in Pauleta; the Azores Cyclone represented the club from 2003 to 2008, scoring over 100 goals in all competitions. He is still with the club in an advisory role.

• Players who have represented both clubs include defenders Humberto Coelho (Benfica 1968-75 and 1977-84, PSG 1975-77) and Ricardo Gomes (Benfica 1988-91, PSG 1991-95) plus midfielders João Alves (Benfica 1978-79, PSG 1979-80), Valdo (Benfica 1988-91 and 1995-97, PSG 1991-95) and Hugo Leal (Benfica 1997-99, PSG 2001-04).

• In addition, Artur Jorge – a former Benfica striker – coached both clubs, winning the 1993/94 French title with PSG before spending the following campaign with Benfica, with his side finishing third in the Liga.