Bayern Munich defender Juan Bernat is eagerly
anticipating the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie
against Benfica, but expects a tough test in Lisbon.
The Bundesliga leaders recorded a 1-0 win in the
first game courtesy of an early Arturo Vidal strike and will be looking
to book their ticket for the final four on Wednesday.
Bernat is well aware that it will not be
straightforward for Bayern, though, and hopes they can get an early goal
at the Estadio da Luz to make things easier.
“The game against Benfica will be like a war,” Bernat told TZ.
“Benfica will be hugely motivated and try to take
advantage of the home advantage. It will be a great game, I have no
doubt about that.
“I hope that we can score an important away goal. That would make things very difficult for them.
“We cannot always expect our attackers to score three or four goals.”
Bayern coach Pep Guardiola will still be without the
likes of Jerome Boateng (groin), Holger Badstuber (ankle) and Arjen
Robben (groin) due to injury, while Kingsley Coman (thigh) and Medhi
Benatia (groin) are both doubtful.
Benfica saw off Zenit in the round of 16 to reach the
quarter-finals and have now set their sights on their first semi-final
appearance since 1989-90.
Midfielder Pizzi knows overturning a one-goal deficit
against one of Europe’s top clubs will not be easy, but the Portugal
international is nonetheless hopeful Benfica can pull off a surprise.
“We’ve been showing our quality in the Champions
League. It’s not just my dream but the dream of all my team-mates to be
in a Champions League semi-final,” Pizzi told the official UEFA website.
“We’re close, we know it will be difficult but we
will give everything. We will fight from the first minute to the last to
achieve our goal.
“There is a fantastic atmosphere at the Estadio da
Luz. Our fans show all their passion, and obviously everyone at Benfica
expects another great European night.”
Benfica will have to make do without suspended star
striker Jonas following his booking at the Allianz Arena, while Julio
Cesar (thigh) and Nuno Santos (knee) will also be missing.
Key Opta facts:
– 68 per cent of teams that have won 1-0 at home in
the first leg of a Champions League game have gone on to progress to the
next round (19 out of 28).
– Bayern Munich have knocked out Benfica in each of their three previous home/away encounters in European competition
– Nicolas Gaitan has been directly involved in Benfica’s three goals in this season’s Champions League knockout stages (One goal, two assists).
– Bayern are winless in their last six away games in the Champions League knockout stages (drawing three, losing three).
– Benfica have scored more than two goals only once in their last 39 Champions League games (v Anderlecht in November 2013).
– Bayern Munich have knocked out Benfica in each of their three previous home/away encounters in European competition
– Nicolas Gaitan has been directly involved in Benfica’s three goals in this season’s Champions League knockout stages (One goal, two assists).
– Bayern are winless in their last six away games in the Champions League knockout stages (drawing three, losing three).
– Benfica have scored more than two goals only once in their last 39 Champions League games (v Anderlecht in November 2013).
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