TFC players will take on Lisbon, on 15-22 February 2024, as part of the qualifiers for the second European Cup in the hierarchy. At stake, at the end of these home-and-away matches: a place in the round of 16.
Fate has spoken. The draw for the Europa League qualifiers (round of 16) on Monday 18 December produced an unprecedented poster for football in Toulouse: TFC will challenge Benfica Lisbon in the first encounter against a Portuguese club. The first leg will be held on February 15, 2024 at the Estadio da Luz, and the return match will be held on February 22 at the stadium.
What is Benfica’s level this season?
The team is in good shape and is fighting for the first positions. On Monday 18 December, the Lisbon club finished second in the Portuguese Primera Division at the end of the first 14 days. This is thanks to the 1-0 win in Braga, Sunday 17. Benfica is only one point behind Sporting Portugal, Lisbon’s other club, which regained first place on Monday evening after a 2-0 win in the match against Porto.
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This season, in the tournament, they have only suffered one defeat (compared to 10 wins and 3 draws). A defeat that goes back… far! On the first day of the tournament, August 14, they received a score of 3-2 at Boavista. They are currently on a 13-match unbeaten run in the league.
How has Benfica’s European journey been so far?
The Portuguese finished third in their Champions League group, behind Real Sociedad and Inter Milan, but ahead of Red Bull Salzburg. During this group stage, they achieved 4 defeats, one draw, and only one victory. After losing to Salzburg, Milan, and Real Sociedad (twice), they made strong progress against Inter, at the Estadio da Luz (3-3), and achieved their only victory against Salzburg (3-1), the weakest opponent in its history. group on the last day.
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Who are the star players?
Benfica’s squad includes two world champions and two Argentines: defender Nicolas Otamendi, captain; and former Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder Angel Di Maria. The latter, who is 35 years old, is the team’s top scorer in the league with a relatively low share (5).
The squad also includes former Paris Saint-Germain players: Spanish defender Juan Bernat and Portuguese defender Goncalo Guedes.
What has been Benfica’s dynamic over the past few seasons?
Since 2010, the Lisbon club has won several titles on its record. 7 Portuguese Championship titles, the last of which was in 2023 (2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023), bringing the total to 38 national titles in its history; Portuguese Cup twice (2014, 2017); In addition to 6 League Cups (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016); And 5 Portuguese Super Cups (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2023).
At the European level, Benfica has two Champions League titles (1961, 1962), an event in which, in addition to these two successes, the club has reached the final five times (1963, 1965, 1968, 1988, 1990). .
Since 2010, the club has reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League four times: in 2022/2023 (elimination by Inter Milan), in 2021/2022 (elimination by Liverpool), in 2015/2016 (elimination by Bayern Munich), In 2011/2012 (elimination by Chelsea).
