CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Benfica set to test struggling Club Brugge
Despite losing Enzo Fernandez in the winter transfer window, Gonçalo Ramos and Rafa Silva are back from injury with Guedes having adapted perfectly.
Rarely in a Champions League Round of 16 clash do Benfica start as firm favourites. Despite the departure of Enzo Fernández, who moved to Chelsea for 130 million euro in the winter transfer window, the Lisbon giants remain in control in the Portuguese league, leading FC Porto by five points. Players such as Grimaldo, João Mario and Antonio Silva are delivering dazzling displays and Spanish winger Grimaldo is having possibly the best season of his career and is the second highest provider of assists in the Portuguese top flight. João Mario has become a lethal striker this season and has scored 16 goals and nine assists, while 19-year-old Antonio Silva has established himself as the leader at the heart of the Benfica defense and looks like he will be in line for a future million-dollar transfer following the steps of other Estadio Da Luz greats (João Felix, Darwin Nuñez, Enzo Fernández...).
Back in his native homeland, Wolves loanee Guedes, has adapted immediately and the Lisbon giants are also boosted by the return of Rafa Silva and Gonçalo Ramos, with both players having recovered in time for the first leg against Club Brugge after three weeks absent due to injury. Both have received the medical green light and make the travelling squad but only played a few minutes last weekend and everything seems to indicate that they will watch the start of the game from the bench.
Tonight’s home side Club Brugge is far from being the team that stunned Atlético in the group stage having only only won one of their last five games in the Belgian league with new manager Scott Parker still struggling to change the dynamics of the team. The former Bournemouth coach has had his work hampered with the loss of Skov Olsen (nine goals and four assists) who is still out with a hip injury and Ferran Jutglá is still not 100% fit from a pelvic injury. The former Barcelona striker has scored ten goals this season, but hasn’t found the net in 2023.
The return leg will take place in Lisbon on 7 March (2023).