SL Benfica vs Bayern Munich - Bayern Munich ready for 'difficult challenge'



Posted Tuesday, April 12, 2016 by PA

Bayern Munich flew to Portugal on Tuesday for what they expect to be a serious test of their Champions League credentials against Benfica on Wednesday night.

A 1-0 win in Munich last week has put the Bavarians ahead in the tie, but they must successfully navigate a further 90 or 120 minutes if they want to advance to a fifth straight semi-final.

And the 2013 European champions are well aware they cannot celebrate yet.

"It was a good result (in the first leg), but it was not a cushion we can relax on," Bayern's director of sport Matthias Sammer said at a press conference in Munich.

"We still expect a very difficult challenge. There's definitely a lot of pressure, also for us."

Bayern had looked set to cruise into the last four, when Arturo Vidal's second-minute strike put them ahead at the Allianz Arena last week.

However, Benfica showed their battling qualities to restrict Pep Guardiola's side to just that one goal and, buoyed by the achievement of compatriots Porto in beating Bayern 3-1 in Portugal last season, will be confident of pulling off a shock by reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.

"They have one of the best defences in Europe," Bayern defender Javi Martinez said of Benfica on his club's website. "They defend very high up the field and are very aggressive and tight, which makes it hard to pass the ball through.

"But we will try to win the game because that is the Bayern mentality."

A draw would do for Guardiola's men, while Benfica will be forced to come out of their defensive shell to attack them, which could play into the German club's hands.

"If we get a goal, then there's a big chance that we will go through," captain Philipp Lahm said to Kicker magazine. "I have no doubt about it."

Benfica's hopes could be dented by the absence of two of their attacking talents.

Jonas, who has scored 18 goals in 18 appearances this season, will definitely miss out through suspension, and Nico Gaitan is rated doubtful after missing training on Tuesday due to a muscular problem.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.

For more data and AI predictions, download for free

7M's App

Scan the QR code
Download App