Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen preview - Leverkusen gunning for top spot

Posted Tuesday, December 09, 2014 by PA

Bayer Leverkusen may have already booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, but they head to Benfica on Tuesday night looking to boost their chances of going even further.

Although beaten 1-0 at home by Monaco a fortnight ago, the Bundesliga side were still able to celebrate as Zenit St Petersburg's 1-0 win over Benfica ensured they could not drop out of the top two with a game to spare.

However, only a win at Benfica - who are already eliminated - will guarantee them top spot in the group, which means they would face a runner-up in the last 16 with the second leg at home.

"We head to Lisbon with a good feeling that we're already qualified, but at the same time we will be fully focused on finishing top of this difficult group," said club president Michael Schade.

Coach Roger Schmidt says that is not going to be so easy since Benfica, despite being bottom of the group, are no pushovers.

"They are a club steeped in tradition and are often involved in European club competitions," he said as his side departed straight from Munich for Lisbon without returning home after a 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Saturday.

"Benfica are not going to want to go out without a fight. I expect them to come at us without any fear."

His own side will show the same level of pride in their own performance since finishing top is not all about potential advantages in the draw.

"We've deserved to finish top and it would be a nice accolade for the team," Schmidt added.

Benfica, meanwhile, are already condemned to finishing bottom of the group without even the potential consolation of a place in the Europa League for victory.

They have won five of their last six home games against German opposition, though, and will be keen to sign out with a win in front of their own fans.