Benfica will look to overturn their first leg deficit to earn a chance of winning their first European trophy since 1962 when they face Fenerbahce in Lisbon.
Benfica vs. Fenerbahce, 2013 Europa League: Preview and TV Schedule
Benfica are 1-0 down from the first leg on their Europa League semi-final, but will still be hoping they can do what’s required to progress against Fenerbahce as they host the Turkish outfit in Lisbon.
The Portuguese side are trailing 1-0 from the first leg thanks to Egemen Korkmaz’s header, and the deficit could have been worse had Cristian Baroni not hit the post with a penalty. A 1-0 deficit is easily surmountable for the Aguilas at home, but without an away goal, they will have to be wary of Fenerbahce on the counter-attack.
With Pablo Aimar and Andre Gomes proving to be ineffective in the first leg, Enzo Perez and Nicolas Gaitan are likely to start as the hosts go all out for victory - the advantage lies with the visitors at present, but with only the slenderest of leads, it should be an even and absorbing contest.
Benfica injuries and suspensions
Out: Ola John (suspended)
Fenerbahce injuries and suspensions
Out: Mehmet Topal (suspended), Pierre Webo (suspended), Raul Meireles
Benfica are without Ola John after he picked up a suspension, but are likely to start Nicolas Gaitan and Enzo Perez out wide regardless, with the club having no other injury or suspension concerns.
Fenerbahce have some problems with Mehmet Topal, Pierre Webo and Raul Meireles all unavailable after injuries and suspensions finally caught up with them in the first leg.
Match Date\Time: Thursday 2nd May, 20:05 p.m. local, BST, 15:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
TV: FOX Soccer Plus (U.S.), ITV4 (U.K.), Sportsnet One (Canada), SIC (Portugal), Star TV (Turkey)
Online: FOX Soccer 2Go (U.S.), ITV Streaming (U.K.), Sportsnet World Online (Canada)
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