Benfica v Beşiktaş: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Monday, September 12, 2016
Article summary
The absence of Kostas Mitroglou means Benfica are shorn of their three main strikers as Beşiktaş come calling, but Rui Vitória is making no excuses: "In every problem there's opportunity."
Article top media content
Article body
- Benfica have injury problems, with forwards Jonas, Kostas Mitroglou and Raúl Jiménez all out
- Beşiktaş begin quest to get out of group stage for first time at sixth attempt
- Benfica have won five of their six previous home games against Turkish opponents
- Don't forget to pick your Fantasy Football team before the deadline
- Elsewhere in Group B: Dynamo Kyiv v Napoli
Possible line-ups
Benfica: Júlio César; Nélson Semedo, Lisandro López, Lindelöf, Grimaldo; Salvio, Fejsa, André Horta, Pizzi; Carrillo, Guedes.
Out: Jardel (unspecified), Mitroglou (foot), Jonas (ankle), Rafa (right thigh), Raúl Jiménez (knee)
Beşiktaş: Tolga Zengin; Beck, Tošić, Marcelo, Adriano; Hutchinson, Inler, Quaresma, Özyakup, Talisca; Tosun.
Out: None
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Rui Vitória, Benfica coach
I'm not going to go into talking about players who may be missing but what I will say is that in every problem there is opportunity. I'm confident that the players who come in will get the job done. There is no point in feeling sorry about the situation.
Last year we had a wonderful campaign, but thinking about that now doesn't help us. The group we find ourselves in is a balanced one and we will be facing a great team. At Benfica, however, the goal is always to win.
Şenol Güneş, Beşiktaş coach
We are up against a Benfica team who have real experience in this tournament; they reached the quarter-finals last year. But we are also a good team and we are going to play to our strengths. We want to show our technical quality and will play to win all the while being patient, obviously.
I don't want to speak about who I will select in my starting XI but whoever is selected I'm sure they'll do well. Portugal are champions of Europe – one of our players participated in that success – and we are going to play one of the top three teams from the country. I wish both teams luck and may the best one win.
Weekend results
Arouca 1-2 Benfica (Walter González 56; Semedo 16, Lisandro López 51)
Benfica now have ten points from their first four league games, goals in each half from defenders Nélson Semedo and Lisandro López sufficient to see off struggling Arouca.
Beşiktaş 3-1 Karabükspor (Cenk Tosun 26, Ömer Şişmanoğlu 30, Oğuzhan Özyakup 82pen; Traoré 48)
Beşiktaş continued their unbeaten start to the Turkish Super League, their late penalty coming after the visitors had been reduced to ten men.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)*
Benfica: WWDWW
Beşiktaş: WDWD
*This season only
Reporter's view: Paul Bryan (@UEFAcomPaulB)
Following a thrilling run to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals last season, Benfica are hoping to kick-start another memorable European campaign with the visit of Beşiktaş. The arrival of the Black Eagles – who boast several new signings – gives Rui Vitória plenty to ponder as he mulls over his attacking options in the midst of a mini-injury crisis.
Did you know?
Beşiktaş have lost all five of their previous matchday one fixtures. Read more in our extensive match background.