Simão excited by 'special game'

'Confident'
"It is going to be a very important match for Benfica and Barcelona," he said. "They are favourites, but we are confident and we will have the support of our fans. For me it is a special game because I get to take on one of my old teams, but even more so because it's a Champions League quarter-final."

Fine run
Barcelona are daunting opponents, perhaps the toughest Benfica could have faced at this stage. The Spanish champions are fresh from eliminating Chelsea FC, having previously secured the best group-stage record in this season's competition. Benfica, however, have a habit of defying the odds. They went into their last pool fixture against Manchester United FC not expected to earn the victory needed to progress, and came from behind to win 2-1. And while they beat Liverpool 1-0 at home in the first leg of their last-16 tie, the Eagles were tipped to have their wings clipped at Anfield.

'Tough task'
However, Simão's spectacular first-half strike stunned the Reds who eventually lost 2-0 on the night. "We want to continue to give our supporters pleasure," Simão said. "I have no doubt that Barcelona are favourites but when we played Manchester United and Liverpool they were favourites, and we beat them. We have a tough task, but I believe we will do well."

Pressure on
Although Barcelona are without key defenders including Simão's old Camp Nou team-mate Carles Puyol, the absence - also through suspension - of Benfica's leading scorer Nuno Gomes puts pressure on Simão and his fellow forward-running colleagues to gain an invaluable cushion for the return in eight days' time. Simão has already proved his calibre on the big occasion, and the 26-year-old is ready to take the game to Benfica's visitors. "I have been improving and I hope I will be at my best against Barça," he said. "We will try to put them under pressure so Barcelona make mistakes and then we can get possession and score."

Avoiding errors
To do that Benfica must also avoid errors. "In the Champions League there's no room for slip-ups and it is not like in the Liga where you have ups and downs," the Portuguese international said. "In the Champions League you can only have the ups if you want to proceed in the competition."

'Well prepared'
The captain knows his role will be crucial, but is not concerned about being under the spotlight. "Portuguese people know me and I am recognised elsewhere in Europe as I am now 26 and not 19," Simão said. "I try to do my best in every game. We've had some crucial matches this season and we are well prepared for this one. This is the most important match of the season - because the next match we play is always the most important."