Juve and Benfica are quite alike this season. Both are cruising in the domestic league and both had a bad campaign in CL. Yes, we finished with 5 points and you managed to win 3 games in the groups stages but you experienced some difficulties. In attack you didn't have a player who would score more than 1 goal in the CL. Your victory as visitors against Anderlecht came with an own goal and a goal in the stoppage time for 3-2. Also your victory against PSG. You were playing in the last game with them as a host and they were already qualified as first team in the group. So we are not that different. We both chocked in the group stage.
So I fully agree with The Cusp that the chances are 50/50. Our advantage is the strong midfield and defence + world class keeper. Yours is the pace in attack and some experienced players in defence. If Conte can make our players to play like the first 10 min against Lyon or the full 90 minutes against Lazio for the italian Super Cup we will qualify. If we let Benfica to play their game and we decide to sit back - we won't qualify. I think that the games will be won by the team which is in better shape. Or, perhaps, the team that is ready to f@#ing die on the pitch and leave it's lungs there.
Thats what I think. Nah, I might be dead wrong. :motta:
Also Oscar Cardozo is a great threat. A top class forward who is very strong physically but also with an amazing technique.
Benfica played very very bad at the start of the season, our best game in the champions was a 1-0 lost against Olympiakos in Greece, where we dominated all the game, did 20 ou 30 shot's and Roberto save them all, this Benfica it's a very very diferent team, way better and different that it was at the start of the season, but you're right, Benfica did a very bad UCL group stage, even with 10 points.
The Point is, this Benfica that will face Juventus, is very different, much much better, I can tell you, for example, in that start, we were with 5 points less than Porto, now we have 15 more, if Sporting Lisbon lose points today, and Benfica win his game, Benfica is champion and can start doing some rotation and bet on the UEL.
Benfica midefielders are also very good players, Enzo it's like a older Pogba, you'll see why I say this, it's really a great player.
Cardozo don't make part of the first team, our best striker this season is Rodrigo, plays in the back of Lima, if Rodrigo dosen't play, probably will play Markovic in his place and Salvio at Right.
Will be a very good game I hope.