UEFA Champions League preview: Otelul Galati vs. Benfica
UEFA Champions League debutants, Otelul Galati, host high flying Benfica on September 27 at National Arena with the aim of getting their first ever European points.
Otelul Galati:
The Romanian giants have already gotten the thrill of playing in Europe’s elite competition but the memory was not as savoury due to the 2-1 loss at hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Basel-c39079.
While not many expect Galati to have a chance against the likes of Manchester United and Benfica, Coach Dorinel Munteanu reiterates that his side will try their best to tackle their illustrious opponents.
“Our competition debut against Basel has been and gone, so our emotions should not be so high. Benfica have so many good players who can decide a match, but we're ready and we'll try to seize our chance."
Currently lying 10th in the Liga I standings, the side will have to quell the threat of the Eagles in order to be taken seriously in the UEFA Champions League.
Benfica:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jorge-c19120 Jesus’ men come into this one booming with confidence and the desire to secure three points.
Benfica have been one of the best sides in the Primeira Liga in recent fixtures and their comeback against bitter rivals, FC Porto, only validated that case.
Having held Manchester United to an opening draw, momentum will also be on their side and they will target nothing other than a victory at National Arena
Team News:
Otelul Galati:
Otelul Galati were able to keep things level in their weekend tie against CS Mioveni but will targeting a win against the Lisbon outfit.
Although Dorinel Munteanu’s team have no injury concerns ahead of the game, their problem is that almost none of their players are accustomed to playing in Europe’s elite tournament.
Only Sorin Frunză has previously plied his trade in the competition, and the lack of experience could spell downfall of the side.
Benfica:
Pumped by their recent run of good form, the Reds will be looking to further cement their place in the group and put pressure on Manchester United.
Going into the game, Jorge Jesus will be able to field majority of his star players and looks set to continue to deploy the 4-2-3-1 formation that has served him so well.
Netting goals freely at the moment is Oscar Cardozo and the mercurial Paraguayan looks set to resume his duties on top of Benfica’s attack.
With the midfield primarily responsible for salvaging a point at Estadio do Dragao, the tactician will go with the trio of Nolito, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Axel-Witsel-c7029 and Javi Garcia will again be dropped as anchormen and will be relied
upon to quell the opposition attacks.
In defence, skipper Luisao will take his place alongside http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Emerson-c12442 will continue on the flanks.
The only absentees for this one are Enzo Perez and Nelson Oliveira, who did not feature for the Lisbon side against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 either.
Key Players:
Benfica: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Oscar-c28720 Cardozo
Scoring goal after goal, Oscar Cardozo has had a terrific start to the 2011/2012 campaign and has just simply been sensational. With his current form, the only question that arises is that why isn’t he playing for a bigger European club.
Otelul Galati: Sorin Frunză
The only player from the Romanian outfit to have played in the UEFA Champions League before this campaign, a lot of responsibility will be on Sorin Frunză tonight. But whether he manages to penetrate a concrete Benfica defence remains to be seen.
Prediction:
Otelul Galati 1:2 Benfica
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