Benfica and Red Bull Salzburg are set to clash in their Champions League 2023-24 campaign kickoff at the Estadio da Luz.
Here’s a look at their journey so far and what to expect in this exciting group-stage fixture.
Benfica’s Road to Champions League
Benfica secured their Champions League group stage entry by clinching the 38th Primeira Liga title in the previous season.
With a history of impressive runs in European competitions, Roger Schmidt’s side eyes another successful journey after last year’s quarter-final finish.
In the previous group stage, Benfica faced challenging opponents in Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, and Maccabi Haifa.
They emerged at the top, unbeaten, setting up a round-of-16 tie with Club Brugge. The Portuguese outfit exhibited their prowess with a stunning 7-1 aggregate victory, only to be eliminated in the quarter-finals by Inter Milan.
Now, they commence the new group stage after a strong start in their league title defense, seeking to translate domestic success into a winning streak on the European stage.
Red Bull Salzburg’s Ascent
Red Bull Salzburg, led by Gerhard Struber, pursues their second qualification to the Champions League knockout stage.
Last year, they narrowly missed the mark and settled for the Europa League playoff round.
This season, they’ve begun impressively in the Austrian Bundesliga, aiming for an 11th consecutive title.
A string of victories underscores their offensive strength and defensive solidity, setting the stage for their European challenge.
In this encounter, they look to capitalize on their form and secure a vital result before facing Real Sociedad in the subsequent group fixture.
Possible Lineups
Benfica:
Trubin;
Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes;
Neves, Kokcu;
Di Maria, Silva, Mario;
Musa
Red Bull Salzburg:
Schlager;
Dedic, Piatkowski, Baidoo, Terzic;
Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath, Kjaergaard;
Gloukh;
Konate, Simic
Match Prediction
Red Bull Salzburg possesses the tools to challenge any opponent. However, facing Benfica at the Estadio da Luz might prove to be a formidable task.
We predict a 3-1 victory for Benfica, leveraging their superior quality and experience in this group opener.