Bayern v Benfica: Host warned against complacency

Bayern entertains Benfica at the Allianz Arena in the first leg on Tuesday, with the return fixture at the Estadio da Luz taking place eight days later.

Published : Apr 04, 2016 23:27 IST , Munich

Pep Guardiola's team required extra-time heroics to overcome Juventus in the previous round and has suffered just one defeat in 14 competitive matches in 2016.
Pep Guardiola's team required extra-time heroics to overcome Juventus in the previous round and has suffered just one defeat in 14 competitive matches in 2016.
lightbox-info

Pep Guardiola's team required extra-time heroics to overcome Juventus in the previous round and has suffered just one defeat in 14 competitive matches in 2016.

Bayern Munich must be careful not to underestimate Benfica in its Champions League quarter-final tie, its former goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt has warned.

Bayern entertains Benfica at the Allianz Arena in the first leg on Tuesday, with the return fixture at the Estadio da Luz taking place eight days later. > Guardiola preparing to face 'best back four in Europe' versus Benfica

Retired goalkeeper Butt spent four seasons at Bayern from 2008 after spending the previous campaign at Benfica and is confident the Portuguese champions will provide stiff competition as it looks to reach the semifinals for the first time since 1989-90 – when it finished as runners-up to AC Milan.

In order to progress, though, the Lisbon-based side will need to overcome the Bundesliga champion for the first time in what will be its seventh attempt. > Watch: Benfica's forwards are dangerous - Neuer

If Bayern is to book a place in the last four for a fifth successive campaign, Butt insists it cannot take Benfica lightly.

"The danger is that they can underestimate Benfica," he said in an interview with Abendzeitung Munchen.

"The club has developed very well and has again been helped by the good contacts to very, very good players from South America.

"Benfica are not in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for no reason - it is no coincidence. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world, even if they have not been particularly successful internationally in recent years.

"Clearly, Bayern is the favourite and I believe they will progress, but it will not be a walk into the semifinals."

Pep Guardiola's team required extra-time heroics to overcome Juventus in the previous round and has suffered just one defeat in 14 competitive matches in 2016.

Benfica is in a similarly rich vein of form, with a pair of wins over Zenit St Petersburg in the last 16 forming part of a run which includes just one loss in its previous 22 matches in all competitions.

Squad updates

A 5-1 win over Braga on Friday, in which Jonas scored his 30th league goal of the season – a tally higher than Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have managed in La Liga - will provide a huge confidence boost ahead of their trip to Munich.

But Rui Vitoria will be without goalkeeper Julio Cesar (thigh), defensive duo Lisandro Lopez (thigh) and Luisao (arm), as well as Nuno Santos (knee).

Holger Badstuber (ankle) and Jerome Boateng (groin) remain long-term absentees for Bayern, while Javi Martinez (knee) and Arjen Robben (thigh) are doubts.

Kingsley Coman sat out the 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday with a slight muscle injury and Franck Ribery staked his claim for a starting berth with a phenomenal overhead kick to secure the win.

Key Opta stats:
- Bayern Munich has knocked out Benfica in each of its three previous ties in European competition (1975-76 European Cup, 1981-82 European Cup, 1995-96 UEFA Cup).
- Benfica has lost all three of their away games against Bayern Munich, conceding 13 goals, an average of 4.3 per game.
- Bayern Munich has won its last 10 Champions League home games, its best ever run in the competition, scoring 40 goals and conceding only six along the way.
- Among the quarterfinalists, Benfica is the only team alongside Barcelona to have scored in all eight of its Champions League games this season.
- Pep Guardiola has reached the quarterfinals in each of his seven seasons as coach in the Champions League.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment