Round of 32 draw SSC Napoli (ITA)v Villarreal CF (ESP) Rangers FC (SCO) v Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR) AC Sparta Praha (CZE) v Liverpool FC (ENG) RSC Anderlecht (BEL) v AFC Ajax (NED) KKS Lech Poznań (POL) v SC Braga (POR) Beşiktaş JK (TUR) v FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) FC Basel 1893 (SUI) v FC Spartak Moskva (RUS) BSC Young Boys (SUI) v FC Zenit St Petersburg (RUS) Aris Thessaloniki FC (GRE) v Manchester City FC (ENG) PAOK FC (GRE) v PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS) Sevilla FC (ESP) v FC Porto (POR) FC Rubin Kazan (RUS) v FC Twente (NED) LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA) v PSV Eindhoven (NED) SL Benfica (POR) v VfB Stuttgart (GER) FC BATE Borisov (BLR) v Paris Saint-Germain FC (FRA) FC Metalist Kharkiv (UKR) v Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)
ya right they already got owned by shalke, another third reich powerhouse is going to smash them - the might STUTTGART aint easy for Sporting... friggin rangers eliminated us a couple seasons ago and lets face it - we are shit Porto will beat sevilla with or without fruta and Braga will proly win but thats as far as they will go.
I pretty much agree with Z's assessment. Stuttgart is 17th out of 18th in Germany (like Schalke when Benfica played them) and really isn't the same team that won the Bundesliga a couple years back. Benfica SHOULD beat Stuttgart, but I'm pretty sure they won't.
I believe Benfica has never won against German competition in Germany. Not sure if it really matters because I can't remember the team ever playing well against German teams in recent history whether at home or away. I doubt we'll do better this time. The rest of the Portuguese teams will probably crap out except for Porto. Porto has a great shot at winning the tournament.
Exactly. Schalke was at the bottom of Bundesliga and destroyed Benfica so it has nothing to do with how their doing in their domestic league. If your doing bad in your own league, you know your out of the competition so your more willing to try harder in other competitions. It wont be easy but Benfica can do it. Forca Benfica!
Both Clubs are strong, SL Benfica and Stuttgart. Lets play well and give it are all and we should pass. Teamwork, skill,shots on net, nice passes and crosses and headers and good goalkeeping, defence and good accuracy will get us through. Forca SL Benfica!!
Reguardless who comes Benfica's way, its not gonna be easy...Stuggart are a "beatable" team. Benfica are at a disadvantage because they play home first...with their horrid record playing in germany they must score 2 maybe 3 goals at home without Stuggart scoring any if they want to progress...gotta stay positive...i think Benfica progresses to the next round
Benfica is scoring alot mroe goals lately, maybe your chances are getting better I dont think Sporting will pass Rangers either so im not trying to troll or anything.
New signings Jardel and Carole make the Liga Europa squad list, however Fernandez does not. http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Benfica/interior.aspx?content_id=682360 Benfica faces Stuttgart at the Estadio da Luz on February 17 in the first leg.
No idea. Fernandez had a impressive debut in the Taca game. Had an assist, great cross. Carole, who hasn't even played yet, makes the squad? Makes no sense to me.
just an update were Stuggart lies in the Bundesliga...theyre in 17th place (relagation zone) means nothing however for Europa league...this means Europa League is all therye playing for this year....Benfica is on fire right now bad time for a break for international play
I think Benfica was beaten by Schalke when they were in 17th earlier in the year, so this means little. The game is next week, correct ?
Depends on if the coach wants to be an idiot and change whats been working again. I'm still really upset about last year. That was a great team meant to win the EL. Stupid decisions by JJ
As long as JJ doesn't over analyze things and sticks to what the team knows and is good at, we shouldn't have a problem. I liked his attacking minded approach to the away game at Porto in the 2 legged Taca de Portugal game.
shouldn't have a problem what?... Winning the Europa League, or getting by Stuttgart and BATE/PSG? I'm just curious as to how far you guys think SLB can go.
LOL, but how far is "far in the Europa League?" You guys mean QF like last year...is that acceptable?
Well considering Benfica has 15 consecutive wins in ALL competitions, I'm expecting a decent Europa run. I'd like to surpass last year's run and see if we can make the semi's but that might be difficult with teams such as Juventus, Liverpool, Villareal, ManCity, Sevilla etc in it.