Benfica and Zenit St. Petersburg meet in Portugal to begin play in what could end up being the most wide-open group in this season’s Champions League. Without a clear-cut favorite in Group C, getting off to a strong start will be extremely important, so both teams will be hoping to get points on Tuesday.
Benfica vs. Zenit St. Petersburg, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview
Benfica welcomes Zenit to the Estadio da Luz, a stadium no Russian side has won at during Champions League play.
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Key Player: Rondón or Andrey Arshavin (Zenit)
Assuming Zenit boss André Villas-Boas sticks with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, he’s going to be left with a bit of a hole on the right wing if Hulk is unable to overcome his hip injury. Villas-Boas loves wingers and ideally wants two attacking-minded players on the outside of his attack. Hulk is a pretty good fit, but if he’s out either Rondón or Andrey Arshavin will likely get the start. Both have played this season in that role, so if one gets the start on Tuesday he’ll need to have a strong performance.
Key Matchup: Zenit vs. history
Six times a Russian club has traveled to Portugal to face Benfica in the Champions League and six times they’ve failed to get a win. Two teams at least managed a draw, but four went home with losses at the Estadio da Luz. The task ahead of Zenit is to try and at least get a point, in order to avoid finding themselves in an early hole in what should be a competitive group.
Benfica injuries and suspensions
Out: Sílvio (leg), Andre Almeida (suspended).
Zenit St. Petersburg injuries and suspensions
Out: Viktor Fayzulin (suspended). In Doubt: Hulk (hip), Ezequiel Garay (unspecified).
Zenit could be missing Hulk and Ezequiel Garay for Tuesday’s match. Hulk is struggling with a hip problem but the team is hopeful that he’ll be able to play. As for Garay, who moved from Benfica to Zenit during the summer, he’s listed as doubtful with an unspecified injury, so his status is unknown at this point. Benfica’s defense will be weakened with both Silvio and Andre Almeida unavailable.
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
TV: Sky red button (U.K.), TVI (Portugal), NTV (Russia)
Online: ESPN3 and FOX Soccer 2Go (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), SkyGo (U.K.), NTV+ Sport Online (Russia)
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