Vitória: Defensive strength key to ousting Bayern
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Article summary
Rui Vitória knows the importance of a strong defensive display against Bayern München if Benfica, trailing 1-0, are to defeat "one of the best teams in the world" and reach the semi-finals.
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Article body
- Bayern lead Benfica 1-0 going into quarter-final second leg
- Benfica top scorer Jonas banned but Kostas Mitroglou has hit 14 in last 17 games
- German side are seeking a fifth successive semi-final, Benfica a first since 1990
- Bayern have won last six games and are 11 matches unbeaten away from home
- Benfica have won 20 of last 22 matches in all competitions
Possible lineups
Benfica: Ederson; André Almeida, Lindelöf, Jardel, Eliseu; Fejsa, Renato Sanches, Gaitán (Carcela-González), Pizzi; Raúl Jiménez, Mitroglou.
Out: Júlio César (thigh), Jonas (suspended), Lisandro López (back)
Doubtful: Nicolas Gaitán (thigh)
Misses next match if booked: Luisão, Jonas, Gonçalo Guedes, Pizzi
Bayern: Neuer; Lahm, Kimmich (Martínez), Alaba, Bernat; Vidal, Thiago; Costa, Ribéry; Müller, Lewandowski.
Out: Boateng (groin), Badstuber (ankle), Robben (groin), Benatia (groin)
Doubtful: Coman (thigh)
Misses next match if booked: Bernat, Boateng, Kimmich, Lewandowski, Vidal
Rui Vitória, Benfica coach
We have to play well defensively as we're facing one of the best teams in the world, one of the favourites to win the competition and a side who set up the same home and away. Nicolas Gaitán is a doubt and only before the match will I know if I can count on him. We didn't win there, but tactically we did well and were very organised. However, we know Bayern are tactically very versatile with lots of resources at their disposal, so if they don't achieve what they want playing one way they'll try something else. We had 5,000 fans in Munich and tomorrow the supporters will be even more important.
Josep Guardiola, Bayern coach
We are focused on tomorrow's match. We intend to defend well, score a goal and qualify for the next round. Regarding Benfica's absentees, we have had the same problem ourselves. For example, Javi Martínez was out for five months and we had to play without genuine central defenders during that time, so that's football. The teams know each other well as they just played last week, but tactically we know what to do. A player's mentality and character will be clear to see in front of 60,000 fans. We have to play well in order to get a result.
Weekend results
Académica 1-2 Benfica (Nuno 17; Mitroglou 39, Jiménez 85)
Raúl Jiménez's late strike kept the Eagles on course for a 35th Portuguese title, the Mexican controlling with his chest and swivelling to finish as Benfica came from behind to win in Coimbra. Nuno put the home side in front 17 minutes in but Kostas Mitroglou replied before the break, getting a head to Pizzi's cross for his 19th Liga goal of the campaign.
Stuttgart 1-3 Bayern (Didavi 63; Niedermeier og 31, Alaba 52, Douglas Costa 89)
Georg Niedermaier deflected in a shot from the impressive Franck Ribéry in the first half, and Bayern doubled their advantage after the interval, David Alaba lifting the ball over a defender before driving in his first goal since November. Stuttgart replied, then Thiago Alcántara hit the bar, before Douglas Costa scored his first goal of 2016 – a powerful, curling effort.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Benfica: WLWWWW
Bayern: WWWWWW
Reporter's view: Andy James (@UEFAcomAndyJ)
Bayern's 1-0 first-leg victory was as close-fought as the scoreline suggests and in truth many were surprised at how much of a threat Benfica posed. The Bavarians will of course remain favourites to progress but will need to up their game for what is bound to be an intimidating atmosphere in Lisbon.
Did you know?
The teams have met in three previous ties – and not only have Bayern won them all, they have gone on to reach at least the final of the competition on every occasion. Read more in our match background.