Fenerbahçe eyes advantage against Benfica after advancing from the 3rd qualifying round
Having overcome Feyenoord to reach the Champions League play-offs, Fenerbahçe will face Benfica with the aim of securing a strong first-leg result to ease the return match. After losing the away leg 2-1, the yellow-laciverts improved at home with a 5-2 victory to seal their spot in the play-offs.
Starting lineups
– Fenerbahçe: İrfan Can Eğribayat, Mert Müldür, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Amrabat, Fred, Semedo, Archie Brown, Szymanski, Jhon Duran, En-Nesyri
– Benfica: Trubin, Dedić, António Silva, Otamendi, Dahl, Florentino, Enzo, Richard Ríos, Aursnes, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Pavlidis
Cenk Tosun out, Cengiz Ünder in
Sakatlığı bulunan Cenk Tosun will not be part of the matchday squad. In the UEFA squad update, Benfica clash, Fenerbahçe removed Cenk Tosun and added Cengiz Ünder. It is also anticipated that Mert Müldür and Çağlar Söyüncü, who did not feature against Göztepe, will return to the squad.
Benfica and Fenerbahçe meet for the seventh time in official competition
This will be the seventh official meeting between Benfica and Fenerbahçe. In the six previous encounters, Benfica has won three times, Fenerbahçe twice, with one draw.
Fenerbahçe’s UEFA squad
Diego Carlos, Mert Hakan Yandaş and Rodrigo Becao are not listed in the UEFA squad for the Champions League. The announced lineup for the competition is: İrfan Can Eğribayat, Tarık Çetin, Dominik Livakovic, Çağlar Söyüncü, Alexander Djiku, Yiğit Efe Demir, Mert Müldür, Jayden Oosterwolde, Nelson Semedo, Milan Skriniar, Yusuf Akçiçek, İsmail Yüksek, Fred, İrfan Can Kahveci, Levent Mercan, Bartuğ Elmaz, Archie Brown, Sofyan Amrabat, Sebastian Szymanski, Oğuz Aydın, Talisca, Jhon Duran, Youssef En-Nesyri, Cengiz Ünder
What it means for the match
– Fenerbahçe’s squad features experienced stalwarts and a mix of pace and craft in attack with Jhon Duran and En-Nesyri up front, while Skriniar and Oosterwolde help bolster a defense that has to withstand Benfica’s threat.
– The return of Müldür and Söyüncü would strengthen the wide and backline options, giving the team more balance on the road.
– Benfica’s lineup combines youthful energy with established players, making the tie a tactical test for Fenerbahçe’s game plan.
Outlook and hope
Fans will be hoping the home-leg performance can translate into a credible result in the away leg, setting up a favorable path to reach the group stage. With a competitive squad and strategic changes, Fenerbahçe remain optimistic about making the most of the play-off opportunity and continuing their European campaign with momentum. The tie also reflects the ongoing strength and ambition of Turkish clubs in Europe, as they push to make deeper runs in the Champions League.
Logical takeaway
Replacing Cenk Tosun with Cengiz Ünder signals a shift toward more attacking creativity and pace in the squad’s approach for the Benfica tie. If Müldür and Söyüncü return to fitness and form, Fenerbahçe can better control wide areas and the defensive line, creating chances through quick transitions and set-piece opportunities.
Summary
Fenerbahçe, fresh from their Feyenoord victory, face Benfica in a high-stakes Champions League play-off. With lineup adjustments and returns to fitness, they aim to secure a positive result in the first leg to set up a favorable second leg. The clash marks another chapter in a historically competitive series between the two clubs, and fans remain hopeful for a strong continental showing.