Fenerbahçe will host Benfica at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on Wednesday night for the first leg of the Champions League playoff, as both clubs push to reach the group stage.
Fenerbahçe are chasing a return to Europe’s top competition for the first time since 2008-09, while Benfica are aiming for a fifth straight group-stage appearance. The Turkish side reached the playoff after a dramatic 6-4 aggregate win over Feyenoord, overturning a 2-1 deficit in Rotterdam with a 5-2 triumph at home.
Domestic form has been a concern for Fenerbahçe, who opened their Süper Lig campaign with a goalless draw at Göztepe and managed only one shot on target. Injury news adds to the worry, with defender Rodrigo Becao still sidelined by a cruciate ligament injury and striker Cenk Tosun ruled out. On a more positive note, full-backs Mert Müldür and Çağlar Söyüncü are expected to return after missing the Göztepe match.
Benfica travel to Istanbul in strong early-season form under Bruno Lage, having won all four of their matches without conceding this term. They lifted the Portuguese Super Cup with a 1-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon, swept Nice 4-0 on aggregate in the third qualifying round, and edged Estrela 1-0 in their league opener. However, they have never won away at Fenerbahçe, having lost twice and drawn once in three trips to the city. The visitors will be without Bruma, Manu Silva, Alexander Bah and Tomas Araujo due to injuries. Last season’s top scorer Pavlidis, who hit 30 goals across all competitions, has already scored twice this term and is expected to spearhead the attack alongside summer signing Franjo Ivanovic.
Kickoff is scheduled for 22:00 local time, with German referee Daniel Siebert in the middle. He will be assisted by Jan Seidel and Dominik Schaal, with Daniel Schlager as the fourth official.
What to watch
– Fenerbahçe’s defense and home atmosphere versus Benfica’s efficient attack. The Turkish side will look to leverage their familiar surroundings to frustrate the visitors and create counter-punch opportunities.
– Benfica’s scoring form and away-record challenge in Istanbul. If they can maintain their clean sheet threat while translating their scoring efficiency on the road, they’ll have the edge.
– Key players: For Fenerbahçe, the return of Müldür and Söyüncü could bolster the back line, while Duran and En-Nesyri lead the attack. For Benfica, Pavlidis and Ivanovic are the focal points up front, supported by their midfield core.
Possible lineups (as cited in the source material)
Fenerbahçe: İrfan Can Eğribayat, Mert Müldür, Milan Škriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde, Nelson Semedo, Sofyan Amrabat, Fred, Archie Brown, Sebastian Szymanski, John Duran, Youssef En-Nesyri
Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin, Samuel Dahl, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Amar Dedic, Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis, Enzo Barrenechea, Richard Rios, Fredrik Aursnes, Franjo Ivanovic
Outlook
The clash represents a tight lever between two teams with different current temperaments: Fenerbahçe’s domestic wobble contrasted with Benfica’s flawless early form. The result could hinge on who can impose their game plan more effectively over 90 minutes and whether Fenerbahçe can protect their home fortress to bring a potential away goal advantage back to Lisbon.
Summary
A high-stakes Champions League playoff first leg in Istanbul pits a home side seeking a return to Europe’s top competition against an in-form Benfica side chasing a consecutive group-stage berth. Expect a tactical battle, with injuries shaping both sides’ selections and a potential edge to the team that can combine solid defense with clinical finishing.
Overall assessment
The match carries a balanced outlook with a slight tilt toward Benfica’s current momentum, but Fenerbahçe’s home support and defensive resolve could swing the tie in their favor if they can translate chances into goals.