SL Benfica coach Rui Vitoria faces another test of his powers of improvisation as he tries to patch up a team without top-scorer Jonas against Bayern Munich today.
The Portuguese champions and league leaders were beaten 1-0 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final last week, a narrow enough margin to give them a chance of producing a major upset at the Estadio da Luz, but with Brazilian marksman Jonas suspended following three yellow cards, the likelihood of beating Bayern for the first time after seven failed attempts and ending a 26-year wait since Benfica’s last semi-finals appearance looks more remote.
The 31-year-old has scored 30 goals in 29 Portuguese league appearances this season, plus two in his nine Champions League outings, including a crucial stoppage-time winner at home to Zenit St Petersburg in the previous round.
Photo: Reuters
However, Vitoria, in his first season in charge at Benfica, has already proved he can produce a winning team from a squad which lacks the strength-in-depth of elite European teams such as Bayern.
Mexican forward Raul Jimenez, who usually starts on the bench, might get a chance to finally partner Kostas Mitroglou today, although Vitoria could move midfielder Nicolas Gaitan into attack and reshuffle his midfield, but Vitoria was not fretting.
“We’re not going to sit here and cry over something we cannot control,” Vitoria said. “This is just an opportunity for someone else and whoever plays will certainly do a great job. We are going to put out a competitive team to face them on equal terms, hand for hand, centimeter by centimeter.”
Vitoria responded to an injury crisis in the center of Benfica’s defense by bringing in the previously untried Victor Lindelof. The 21-year-old Swede has responded with superb play, helping Benfica win 20 of their past 22 games.
Vitoria also gave midfielder Renato Sanches his professional debut in October last year, with media reports saying that the 18-year-old now has a 35 million euros (US$40 million) price tag and is attracting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
However, Bayern, who have reached the semi-finals for the past four seasons, remain the clear favorites. Pep Guardiola’s side have been dominant this season with a seven-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga and only three defeats.
The Bavarians’ record also bodes badly for Benfica. They have faced Portuguese sides nine times in European knockout ties and won them all.
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