Tomorrow we will learn which teams Benfica will face in the group stages. Benfica is in Pot II with SV Werder Bremen, Real Madrid CF, AS Roma, FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Valencia CF, Olympique de Marseille and Panathinaikos FC. This will be Benfica's 6th season in the updated Champions League, with their last appearance losing in the the quarterfinals.
I say bring on the weakest group possible....because the way this team is playing they couldnt beat my high school soccer team.
If we had last season's squad (Di Maria, Ramires and Quim) I'd say bring on anybody. Pot 1 Inter Barcelona Manchester United Chelsea Arsenal Bayern Muniche AC Milan Lyon Pot 2 Real Madrid Roma Benfica Shakhtar Donetsk Valencia Marseille Panathinaokos Pot 3 Tottenham Rangers Ajax Shalke 04 FC Basel Braga Copenhagen Spartak Moscow Pot 4 Hapoel Tel-Aviv Twente Rubin Kazan Auxerre CFR Cluj Partizan Belgrade MSK Zilina Bursaspor Best case scenario: Lyon Benfica Basel Hapoel Tel-Aviv/MSK Zilina Worst Case scenario: Inter/Barcelona/Chelsea/ManU Benfica Tottenham/Ajax/ Shalke/ Braga =P Rubin Kazan/Auxerre
I wish I was more pumped for this but after that preseason and the first couple games of the season I feel like we don't have much of a shot no matter who is in Benficas group. Things can change around by the first CL game, hopefully.
Its gonna be a tough draw. Im not sure what you've watched this year to make you think we can beat Lyon and Schalke. I don't know much about Hapoel Tel-Aviv except that their goalie is nasty, hes the guy from Nigeria.
Lyon is a good team that just got better with their signing of Gourcuff. Schalke will be tough in Germany but should be beaten in Lisbon. Im just worried because this team makes the easy look impossible
Clearly we have one the easiest group of all although their are no "easy" groups. I dont see any Barcelona's, Inter's or Manutd/Chelsea on on group. As for the 1st Pote, we got the weakest team Lyon. They are obviously a fantastic team, but the weakiest in that seeding. You cant say we didnt luck out on the 1st and 4th potes. Shalke are one of the better Pote 3 teams, I saw Shalke play Hamburger this weekend, quality side, so dont underestiminate my futebol knowledge my friend. None of these teams are unbeatable. If Benfica can regain its form in the next 3 weeks and gain some confidence and get back in the form they were in, I have no doubt in my mind that we cant achieve 2nd place.
Im not but Benfica's looked like utter crap so far this season. No matter the draw, im not excited because this team doesn't give me the confidence that last year's team did.
Realistically...its a good but minefield draw Tel-Aviv - must take all 6 points Lyon & Schalke i'd be content with 6 more points outta 4 games 12 points should be enough to get through...
Decent enough draw. We should be able to get through, if we start playing like last year. Helb and Doni on Loan would be some very good moves in my opinion.
I agree.... However, I can see us pulling a draw in schalke...that will be the deciding game in my opinion.
Easy draw but Lyon is a tough group stage team. Always do well. Schalke has a good team but Benfica just get a win and a tie. easy. Tel-Aviv.......I honestly haven't followed them lately but i remember them having crazy home fans.
I don't think so, it's doable but not easy. I think Benfica lose in france and draw in lisbon with Lyon; win in lisbon and draw in israel; then draw in lisbon and draw in germany. That's only 7 points so unless Lyon runs a train on the group and tel aviv gets something from shalke it will be touch and go to get out of the group. Something tells me if Benfica plays well in the CL they will finish the league in 3rd spot. Last season benfica had Europe caliber starters and a liga winning bench, this year benfica have Liga competitive caliber starters and a carlsberg/taca caliber bench.
Schalke 04 lose once again...this time 4-0 to Bayern Muniche. Not off to a good start, which is good for Benfica.