On-song Atlético out to vanquish ghosts at Benfica
lundi 7 décembre 2015
Résumé de l'article
Benfica need only a home draw with Atlético to pip their fellow Group C qualifiers to first place, but the Spanish side are in fine form as they return to the scene of the 2014 final.
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Corps de l'article
- Both teams are already through to Monday's round of 16 draw
- Atlético have won their last six games and are 12 unbeaten since matchday two
- Benfica will beat fellow Group C qualifiers Atleti to first place with a draw
- Atlético have won twice in eight previous away games against Portuguese opposition
- Rojiblancos return to the stadium where they lost the 2014 UEFA Champions League final
Possible lineups
Benfica: Júlio César; André Almeida, Lisandro López, Jardel, Eliseu; Fejsa, Samaris, Renato Sanches, Gaitán, Gonçalo Guedes; Raúl Jimenez.
Out: Luisão (broken arm), Nélson Semedo (knee)
Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Filipe Luís; Gabi, Saúl, Koke; Carrasco, Griezmann, Torres.
Out: Tiago (broken leg), Jackson Martínez (ankle)
Rui Vitória, Benfica coach
We're up against a side that are having a great season. Since our win in Spain they have played 12 matches, won almost all and conceded four goals. This shows their power, but we also have to be aware that they have great attackers, too.
Perhaps both teams are in the position they wanted to be in at the beginning – qualified. But at home, with the support of our fans, we want to win and end in first place. There isn't much to think about.
Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
Benfica had a great game in Madrid and are a team with interesting options up front. We have to be wary of the players they have that can create us problems. [Nico] Gaitán is one, Renato [Sanches] another – Benfica keep producing these interesting youngsters.
We have been a solid team for four or five years now and we have our style. I don't agree with being branding a defensive team, though. Our aim is always to win and it would be great to finish top of the group.
This is a stadium with important memories: a good one as we played a Champions League final here; a bad one because we lost it.
Weekend results
Benfica 3-0 Académica (Jonas 35pen 69pen, Renato Sanches 85)
Benfica made it four consecutive league victories without conceding, while Jonas grabbed his ninth and tenth goals in 11 Liga outings this season.
Granada 0-2 Atlético (Godín 20, Griezmann 76)
Diego Godín scored his first of the campaign and Antoine Griezmann hit his fifth in as many games.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Benfica: WWDLWW
Atlético: WWWWWW
Did you know?
Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak helped Benfica win the Portuguese league and cup double in 2013/14; find out more in our match background.