Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
Benfica start their Champions League campaign with a tough away fixture at Crvena Zvezda.
This game features two of the most historically successful teams in the European Cup, as Crvena Zvezda won the tournament in 1991, while Benfica won it back-to-back in 1961 and 1962.
Match Preview
Crvena Zvezda Recent Form
Crvena Zvezda had to play through the Champions League playoff stage to reach the league phase and successfully overcame Bodo/Glimt over two legs despite a first-leg defeat.
Domestically, they have made a dominant start to the new campaign in Serbia, winning six out of their opening seven games. In that time they have scored 21 goals and conceded just four.
Crvena Zvezda Injury News
The club received a huge boost at the weekend as first-choice goalkeeper Omri Glazer made his first appearance of the season after being out for a while with an abductor injury.
There are no new major injury concerns for head coach Vladan Milojevic, though Vladimir Lucic remains out.
Last Crvena Zvezda Lineup
Here’s how Crvena Zvezda lined up against Napredak.
(4-2-3-1):Glazer; Mimovic, Lekovic, Drkusic, Young-Woo; Krunic, Elsnik; Mvumpa, Ivanic, Olayinka; Duarte
Benfica Recent Form
Benfica will have to be at their best this season to take down the might of Sporting CP, but they are already behind the pace down in fifth after three wins, a draw and a loss from their opening five matches.
They lost the opening match of the campaign to Famalicao then went four unbeaten, winning 4-1 versus Santa Clara at the weekend.
Benfica Injury News
Definitely missing for Benfica are Renato Sanches, Fredrik Aursnes and Tiago Gouveia.
Jan-Niklas Beste returned to the squad for the victory over Santa Clara following a muscle problem so he is in contention to feature here.
Last Benfica Lineup
Here’s how Benfica lined up against Santa Clara.
Crvena Zvezda – Player To Watch
Bruno Duarte has scored six goals in nine games so far this season and remains his side’s biggest attacking threat.
