As the Champions League approaches its decisive stages, one team has surprised everyone with their impressive performance - Benfica. The Portuguese team started their journey in the third qualifying round with low expectations after a poor season, but under new coach Roger Schmidt, they have continued to fight and show significant improvement. After an unbeaten run to win a tough group that included powerhouses PSG and Juventus, Benfica advanced to the quarterfinals with a stunning 7-1 aggregate victory over Club Brugge. Now, with only a few teams left, Benfica is considered one of the teams to beat in Europe. They have the most prolific attack in the Champions League this season and are unbeaten in their 19 home games. With their eyes set on the semifinals, Benfica is a force to be reckoned with.
When Benfica began its journey in the Champions League third qualifying round in August, many did not expect the Portuguese team to make much progress in the competition. After a poor season by the club's standards, expectations were low. However, round after round, Benfica continued to fight, advance, and show improvement under new coach Roger Schmidt. Now, the traditional club is in great form and is considered one of the teams to beat in Europe as the decisive stages of the Champions League approach. When the draw for the last eight takes place next week, Benfica will not be seen as one of the softer opponents.
Until last season, Benfica had not reached the round of 16 since the 2016-17 season. This time, however, it caught everyone off guard with an unbeaten run to win a difficult group that included Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, two of the world's most powerful teams. Benfica advanced to the quarterfinals 7-1 on aggregate after routing Club Brugge 5-1 on Tuesday, marking its biggest Champions League home win.
Schmidt stated, "At this point in the Champions League, there are always good opponents, and we must respect everyone." However, we will try our best to reach the semifinals by playing in this manner, keeping our focus, being motivated, and playing good defense. It will be the first time they succeed.time Benfica has qualified for the semifinals since 1990 when it eventually lost the final to AC Milan.Benfica was eliminated in the last eight of last season by eventual champion Liverpool.
Striker Gonçalo Ramos, who scored twice in the team's rout on Tuesday, said, “We had a lot of respect for Brugge, and now we are already focused on the next round. No matter who our next opponent is, we will keep playing the same way.” The 21-year-old Ramos has been one of the top players for Benfica this season along with Joo Mário and Rafa Silva, who each scored a goal at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday.
In 42 matches this season, Benfica has only lost once and is undefeated in its 19 home games. It has scored 23 goals this season, one more than Napoli and two more than defending champion Real Madrid, making it the most prolific attack in the Champions League. Eight points ahead of its rival Porto, it holds a commanding lead in the Portuguese league. Chiquinho and Florentino have been putting in a lot of effort in the front line of defense, while Antonio Silva, a young defender, and veterans Nicolás Otamendi and lex Grimaldo have thrived in support.
Twice a European champion in the early 1960s, Benfica last made it to the last eight in consecutive seasons in 1968 and 1969. On March 17, it will draw its opponent to face off against. However, Benfica's players are likely not too concerned about which rival they will face next.
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