Benfica vs. Atletico Madrid: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Defensive resilience has long been heralded as a big part of the reason for Atletico Madrid's ability to compete with more financially powerful sides, domestically and in Europe, and the team's exploits over the past month leave no doubt that this term that particular asset will be critical once again.
Back at the end of September, an uncharacteristically sloppy Atletico missed chances at one end, while Benfica showed a clinical edge at the other end of the pitch to come from behind and take a 2-1 win in the Champions League, moving top of the group in the process. The two sides meet again on Tuesday, in Lisbon this time, and Atleti have to reverse the result to seal top spot and a likely more accommodating draw for the knock-out stage.
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While the task will be a difficult one, Diego Simeone's side have stepped up a gear since that defeat; in fact, the 12 matches since that home defeat have yielded nine wins and not a single loss. If a kick-start to the campaign was needed, Goncalo Guedes' winner provided it for the Rojiblancos.
The unbeaten streak has been founded on solid tactical play, impressive attacking (although lacking a clinical edge at times) and a mean defensive platform. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak—a former Benfica man—didn't concede a single goal in November and started December with another clean sheet at the weekend against Granada. Ahead of him, Diego Godin has returned to top form in the centre of defence and even scored at the other end on Saturday.
Per FourFourTwo, Godin told the club website: "We have to continue along this path and be the best we can. We are strong this way [defensively]. We have managed to win the match [against Granada] and add three points and stay at the top in the league. Now we need the same in Europe."
It's clear that progression to the latter stages of the Champions League features heavily in Atleti's aims for the season, and it's not hard to see why there is so much emphasis on beating Benfica.
As things stand in the other groups, finishing top of Group C will land a last-32 tie against any of PSG, Manchester United, Manchester City, Roma, Olympiakos, Porto or Gent, rather than second place leaving them facing one from Wolfsburg, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Chelsea or Zenit. Of course, the bigger teams will have to be faced at some point along the way, but the quarter-finals is probably a minimum aim for Atleti.
The Spanish side are more than capable of holding their own against some of Europe's heavyweights and would back themselves to progress over two legs—but first, they need a result in 90 minutes against Benfica.
"PHOTO GALLERY. The teams prepares the #BenficaAtleti at the Sports City https://t.co/FM88O9Ondw @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/7hJot2H8Hl
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) December 6, 2015"
"Training session ahead of tomorrow's @ChampionsLeague clash with @Atleti. #UCL pic.twitter.com/fxPjiJNyss
— Sport Lisboa Benfica (@SL_Benfica) December 7, 2015"
Date: Tuesday, December 8
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
TV Info: BT Sport Extra (UK) ESPN2, ESPN3 (USA)
Live Stream: BT Sport Live Streaming (UK), Fox Soccer 2GO (USA)
The Teams
Both Benfica and Atletico are challengers for the trophy in their respective domestic leagues, though neither lead the table at present. Benfica are eight points off the pace from leaders Sporting CP, albeit with a game in hand. They are the top scorers in the Primeira Liga and are on a four-match win streak in league play, with Portugal's domestic title already looking set to be played out between the usual trio of sides—Porto being the third.
Atletico are second in La Liga in Spain, two points off Barcelona after also hitting a four-game win streak in the league. While Atleti aren't as free-scoring as Benfica, they do have the best defensive record by far in Spain's top flight, having conceded just six in 14 games.
"14 League matches 9 with a clean sheet 6 goals conceded Great work, team! https://t.co/0qzAYLGoe8 #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/Qm8Oq1x5ik
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) December 5, 2015"
Turning attentions to Europe, it's a similar story: Atletico have only conceded two in the group stage, which is easily the best record in Group C; though, both those were scored by Tuesday's opponents, Benfica. Both sides have netted nine and sit tied on 10 points at the top; both have already qualified.
Only top spot remains to be played for—and though Atleti have the better goal difference, head-to-head determines who will finish top if the points remain level. The Spanish team need a win to top the group.
Team News
Benfica are without longer-term absentees Nelson Semedo and Salvio, while centre-back Luisao has also missed the last three matches through injury. Serbian holding midfielder Ljubomir Fejsa had missed several games with a muscle injury but returned to play over an hour in the weekend victory over Coimbra.
Young midfielder Renato Sanches has broken into the side recently and had a huge impact, scoring last time out in the Champions League and again at the weekend, so all eyes will be on head coach Rui Vitoria to see whether he keeps faith with the 18-year-old in such a crucial fixture. Pizzi, Fejsa and Andreas Samaris are all options for the centre, too.
Atletico are still without Jackson Martinez, injured during the last international break, while midfielder Tiago suffered a broken leg a week ago and will be out until March.
Everyone else in the Atleti squad is available, and Diego Simeone has taken his entire complement of seniors with him for the trip to Lisbon, keeping his options open ahead of the game—though he may opt to keep the same XI that started the weekend win over Granada, with most impressing.
"Squad List (1/2): Oblak, Moyá; Juanfran, Gámez, Godín, Giménez, Savic, Lucas, Siqueira, Filipe #BenficaAtleti #UCL
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) December 6, 2015"
"Squad List (2/2): Saúl, Gabi, Óliver, Koke, Thomas, Carrasco; Griezmann, Correa, Vietto y Torres #BenficaAtleti #UCL
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) December 6, 2015"
Possible Lineups
Benfica (4-4-2): Julio Cesar; Andre Almeida, Jardel, Lisandro Lopez, Eliseu; Goncalo Guedes, Renato Sanches, Ljubomir Fejsa, Nico Gaitan; Kostas Mitroglou, Jonas.
Atletico (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Juanfran, Josema Gimenez, Diego Godin, Filipe Luis; Koke, Saul, Gabi, Yannick Carrasco; Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann.
Player to Watch: Antoine Griezmann (ATM)
The French forward has been in good form of late, contributing heavily to Atleti's build-up play but also showing his predatory instincts inside the penalty area once again. A late strike at the weekend was his fourth goal in his last three matches—the first time he has netted in three consecutive games this season; the first time since April, in fact.
Atleti's starting forward has scored four times in the Champions League group stage, with all four coming against Galatasaray so far.
His pace, skill around the box and ability to quickly combine passes and get shots away, however, mean he will be a huge danger for Benfica to contend with—especially in the latter stages of the game if it remains close.
Prediction: Benfica 1-2 Atletico
