Benfica: the Club World Cup's uncomfortable opponent

Always an uncomfortable opponent, Benfica are presenting their bid in this new Club World Cup, where they arrive as dangerous opponents for all those teams aiming to win the title. They are under no pressure because they will probably not be in any betting pool to lift the title, but they could give more than one scare to those who are considering becoming the first champions of the FIFA tournament.

They also come with the desire to redeem themselves after a season that has not been good for the Lisbon team. Under Bruno Lage, they should be the second team in the group behind Bayern Munich, but they must not lose their nerve against a Boca Juniors team with a new coach - Miguel Angel Russo. They must not slip up against Auckland City to avoid making life difficult for themselves in the group stage.

Squad list

Players to watch

It is obligatory to talk about the Greek Vangelis Pavlidis in an analysis of this Benfica. At 26 years of age, he has had an exceptional first season at the Portuguese club. Twenty-nine goals and 11 assists in the 53 games he has played and now he has the opportunity to continue to add to his tally at the Club World Cup. He will feel the loss of Angel di Maria, who has left for Rosario Central after a year of 15 goals and nine assists.

The reliability of Nicolas Otamendi will once again be key for the Eagles. Despite his 37 years, the Argentinian offers experience, always key for short tournaments, and still performs at a good level. In recent days there has been a lot of talk about his future, as his contract expires on 30 June, but he will be at the World Cup with the Lisbon giants.

Coach

Bruno Lage arrived from Botafogo after a previous spell at Benfica until 2020. The Portuguese coach concludes the first season in this second chapter with only one title, the League Cup. He won others, especially the domestic championship, but lost that final sprint to Sporting de Portugal.

Group stage fixtures

Matchday 1 

Benfica take on Boca Juniors on Tuesday 17 June at the Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), against whom they have only ever played friendly matches in their history. The last one was in 1995, precisely on US soil.

Matchday 2

On the second day of the Club World Cup, Benfica meet Auckland City of Australia at the InterCo Stadium (Orlando) on Friday 20 June. It will also be the first time they have met in an official fixture.

Matchday 3 

The Lisbon giants will close the group stage on Tuesday 24 June at the Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte) against the ‘bogeyman’ of the group: Bayern Munich. The two sides have met 13 times in the past and Benfica have yet to win: three draws and 10 defeats.

Possible starting XI