Benfica - Fenerbahce 27-08-2025

Benfica's offensive weapon against the Turkish wall

The CL qualification is coming to an end and this year's team in the Champions League is on the way to taking shape. But only one poor match will decide whether the clubs will advance or not.
We will take a closer look at Benfica – Fenerbahce. Two teams that have made it through this CL qualification well before the last obstacle that stands in the way of further advancement.

Both teams were ranked so high that they went directly to the penultimate knockout round in the CL qualifiers. Where Fenerbahce met Dutch Feyenoord. There the Turks lost 1-2 away, but really hit the big drum and won 5-2 at home in Istanbul. As for Benfica, they met the French team Nice. There they were a run of the mill in both France and Portugal. They won both matches 2-0, and had very good xg. numbers in the matches.

In the first match between these two teams it was a boring affair for us neutrals. It ended 0-0 on the scoreboard and very few chances were created. Xg. was at a staggering 0.70 and even Benfica got a red card after 70 minutes. There Florentino stopped Tallisca illegally and got his 2nd yellow. Disappointingly for Fenerbahce they were unable to create anything great with 10 men. By all accounts it seemed that Benfica were happy with a 0-0 in Istanbul which they can take home to Portugal.

Benfica: Home party without Florentino?

Benfica has proven to be difficult to beat at home. Florentino is not in this match due to retirement, but Benfica can easily solve that with, for example, Norwegian Schjeldrup coming in on the wing. Benfica may also come with a 4-4-2 formation that they have used in their last two home matches. Then Barrenechea and Rios will be responsible for the central midfield at Benfica. Two very solid players who have done their jobs well in Portugal, and then the loss of Florentino will be whispered away a little.  

Akterkongulu on Benfica's right wing is a player who will be very interesting to watch. He will face Fenerbache's Semedo on the other side. Semedo will have to really keep his tongue in his mouth to avoid being caught behind by the fast-footed Turk. Benfica has an extreme attacking weapon that Mourinho will have to figure out. One thing is that Akterkogulu can take on a couple of men, but also has an extremely good right foot. Benfica striker Pavlidis has really felt that in a positive sense. Last year, the striker had a solid 19 goals in 34 games.

Fenerbahce: Can Mourinho's steel keep the pressure off?

As for Fenerbahce, I think they will go back and focus on counterattacks. It is natural to think that they will come with a similar formation: 3-4-3. I will be very surprised if Mourinho suddenly decides to do something different. There I think the wingers will have a more defensive approach than they had in Istanbul. It must be said that the Turks have solid stoppers in Skriniar, Oosterwolde and Muldur (winger). But I think they will have enough to deal with when Benfica is going to score for 2 x 45 minutes. Then I think that eventually the defense will crack and the opportunities will be available for Benfica. With the home crowd behind me, I think this will be a humiliating defeat for Fenerbache.  

We play the following:

Champions League at 21:00 Benfica - Fenerbahce: Benfica win (1.62)

Alternative games:

Champions League at 21:00 Benfica - Fenerbahce: Benfica -1 Asian (2.00)

Champions League at 21:00 Benfica – Fenerbahce : Semedo yellow card (2.44)