First leg was tied 0-0 in Lisbon. Benfica won away to Belenenses 2-1 at the weekend with goals from Miccoli and Karagounis. Barcelona drew with Madrid 1-1 with a penalty from Ronaldinho. Tiago Motta picking up a hamstring and will miss this game.

I think Benfica will start with Nuno Gomes in this game but Miccoli is playing so well and deserves to start. I think it will be a very tough game but maybe with luck and composure Benfica do have a chance at this.

With Barcelona does anybody know what sort of formation they will be playing and how will Motta not playing effect them? Also I would like to know if anyone else is injured and is Messi back for this one?

Thanks... Viva O Benfica!

I don't think Nuno Gomes will play, he got injured really bad against Belenenses... I'm hoping for a win 1-0 or a tie 1-1.

Simao - Miccoli - Geovanni in the attack.

I also agree, Simao, Miccoli and Geovanni in the attack Benfica needs to score a goal to make the dreams happen!

ye the loss of nuno is serious but i think our attack is capable of making some plays and micooli has been on fire!!!!

I think Barcelona will nick it, unless Benfica score first and then get 11 men behind the ball

Barcelona 3-1

It is still not known whether Messi will play. Some sources say yes, some say he won't. Messi would help us greatly.

I say a 1-1 tie and Benifica going through on away goals rule(which is the dumbest rule ever).

Thats how i think it will go down. Its not a very classy way to advance but at least you will.

How long till Messi is fit? If he plays, then Benfica will have lots of troubles containing the flanks. I think Simao will score a goal in this one, I am almost certain this Barcelona defense, even with Puyol at the helm, is breachable.

A 10 man Real scored a the Nou Camp.

I predict a 2-0 win for Benfica. For some reason, should be just like the Liverpool match, in terms of Benfica performance.

Did you watch the Clasico. Madrid onl had one chance all game and this was without Edmilson, Marquez, Motta and Oleguer playing CB. Luckily for Madrid, the fatboy put away Madrid's only shot on goal.

That doesn't mean much, we had three good chances against Liverpool, scored twice, had a shot hiiting the bar, and won 2-0.

Anyways, I'm hoping for a 1-1. Mi-Mi-Miccoli!

This should be a great game and will really test our character. We've been rather unfortunate in front of goal in the last few matches, so we need to start picking up the slack. We could've made this a lot easier on ourselves by converting all those chances in the first game but it is what it is.

Scoring an early goal will be the key here. Benfica will come to sit back and play on the counters in hopes of snatching that valuable away goal. We need to set the tone right away and hopefully score early on. It'll probably open up the game a bit and if we manage to get a second goal then we'll be on our way.

Benfica are the type of team that can absorb pressure for most of the game and then kill you on one counter attack. It'll be a pity if we end up losing this way, so I hope we score early and it won't have to come down to that.

Fuck. The team's official website says he is training but won't make the game.

ya i bet there jusst saying that to make Benfica think he wont play either way I dont care if he does or if he doesn't Benfica has to give it everything they got no matter who is playing. A team can't depend on a certain player they have to play as a team which I feel Benfica does a great job of this is going to be an intense match, one i will not predict on because i feel it is bad luck.

DAMN OUR LUCK!!! 4-5 starters might be out for this game. What a disgrace. It would be a shame if this brought the end to our CL run.

What do u guys think that the starting lineup should be?

I think Koeman will use this lineup:

-------------------Moretto----------------

Rocha-------Luisao----Anderson-----Leo

-----------Beto------------Petit---------------
------------------Fernandes------------------

Geovanni-----------------------------Simao
---------------------Miccoli-----------------

Very similar in the first leg except Geovanni will start in Robert's spot and Miccoli will start the match, since there is no Gomes.

In the second half we will most likely see Karagounis coming in to apply more pressure to Barca's defence.

What's the latest on Puyol and Messi's injuries? With all the defenders out, what's Barcelona's formation likely to be?

Amen to that formation.

C'mon Benfica!!!!!

Puyol will play, Messi will not. Edmilson: Who knows?

If Edmilson plays then I predict this:

------------------Eto'o--------------------
--Ronaldinho----------------Larsson----

------------Deco-------MVB
----------------Iniesta

--Gio---Puyol---Edmilson---Olefuer

--------------Valdez

If he doesn't then Oleguer will shift to the middle, Belleti will play on the right and we moght lose.

May God be on our side.

He usually is in the form of a ref. j/k

Anyways, i think it will be a very tight game. Good luck benfica!

They don't need luck, if they play there game, get a good ref and they should cruise through

You just love being annoying to Barcelona fans don't you.

I am very sorry if I annoy you but I am only giving my honest opinion on the forth coming game

You must be referring to Real Madrid's stategy for the past 50 or so years.

Anyway, looks like Messi won't make it in time. Edmilson and Marquez are both ruled out (as well as Sylvinho), so we should see a defence made up of Belletti--Puyol--Oleguer--Gio. It's not the strongest backline, but we survived with Motta/Oleguer as CBs so we should be all right with Puyol back.

i think he'll should start Nelson because we do need a goal.....maybe if we score one..then he'll put in Rocha to defend the lead...othr then that.....that should be the lineup

I'd be worried if Nelson starts. He isn't in form and Ronaldinho would be all over him. Yes we need a goal, but we have to defend aswell. Rocha did a great job covering Ronaldinho and forced him to play in the center, because Rocha was doing a great job stopping him. We need him to do that again.

That's a good point. If they couldn't score at home against Motta and Oleguer both playing out of position (way out in Motta's case), then Puyol's return should shore up Barca's defence for the match. Funny though, that even with all the injuries to the defence corps, Barca's problem lately has been finishing.

Probable teams:

Barcelona: 1-Victor Valdes; 2-Juliano Belletti, 23-Oleguer, 5-Carles Puyol, 12-Giovanni van Bronckhorst; 17-Mark van Bommel, 24-Andres Iniesta, 20-Deco; 10-Ronaldinho, 7-Henrik Larsson, 9-Samuel Eto'o

Benfica: 31-Marcelo Moretto; 33-Ricardo Rocha, 4-Luisao, 3-Anderson, 5-Leo; 16-Beto, 6-Petit, 14-Manuel Fernandes; 20-Simao Sabrosa, 11-Geovanni, 30-Fabrizio Miccoli

Anyways, Barca should be ok with that lineup, Benfica has a chance though... this should be interesting

With Miccoli starting Id say benfica is good for one goal. Koeman better do the right thing. Rocha did a fine job on Dinho last game that he would be one of the first picked.



Nice avatar You guys were robbed on the weekend!

Keep comforting their poor souls because you'll need them to return the favor after this Wednesday.

Tomorrow is going to be the most intense match I will ever watch since the Euro Cup, these kinds of matches I don't even sit down because im to nervous. I created this new sig "We Beleive" representing Benfica fans beleiveing in our team and knowing we can do it! I Believe in Benfica and our side is a strong team we have amazing talent, Fernandes, Miccoli, Simao just to name a few who are all key players to score at any moment. Lets go into this match and give it all we got again I don't predict matches but all I know is this is going to be a crazy match with alot of scoring opportunities for both sides.

Forca Benfica
"WE BELIEVE"

Its typical barsa, you come to expect that when you play them, ask Chelsea The ref of that game was rewarded afterwords with the job of refereeing the Copa Del Rey final because of his great performance, just a pity barsa aint in the final or they could celebrate winning it now.

It going to be hard for Benfica in the Spain tomorrow but I am confident you can do it, they couldn't beat us with ten men couldn't score against you or Malaga so enjoy yourselves.

EDMILSON and Sylvinho will play!!!

Edmilson and Sylvinho have surprisingly made it back into the squad in time for tomorow. All we need is Messi to make his recovery and we will be set.

Lineup will now most likely be:

----------Eto'o----------
--Ron-----------Larss--
------Dec------MVB----
---------Iniesta---------
-Gio-Puyol-Edmil-Ole-
---------Valdez---------

And Cicinho, you should be focussing on your team's crappy situation instead of being a dick and trying to make us look bad to make you feel good. It is quite pitiful.

Wow alot of Madrid and Barcelona rivalery nice to see the Madrid fans supporting us though more support the better anywho I don't care of Barca has there regular start up or not either way they are Barcelona and you have to be ready for them regardless all there players are good so Benfica will prepare properly for it and we know we go into this match less stressed out then Barcelona and we will use that to our advantage.

I hope Messi gets to play. It would be great. Will be a tough match to win but I'm going to support Barca 100% of the way.

Madrid fans do not support you for your great team, they support you because they could care less who downs Barca, as long as someone does.

I want to see penalties in this game.

i predict a three zip scoreline to Barca. Ronaldinho on a penalty Deco and Eto the scorers. pretty optimistic seeing our current scoring form but according to stats we are still the highest scoreres in both la liga and the Champs league.

Exactly. Cicinho supports every team that we play against.

Highest scorers in UCL as of today are Milan, with 20 goals scored.

I'm actually 50/50 on that. I do hate barca, but i also like the way benfica play. Benfica are one of the three teams (lyon and villarreal are the other two) i want to win after madrid went out.

I'd rather see a late winner than penalties. One of the worst ways to exit a tournament is by those dreadful penalties.

Well that isn't too fair as they have played a game more, don't you think?

Some of those madrid fans are pathetic,they are going trophlyess again,so cicinho all of a sudden becomes a benfica supporter cause they play barca,but hey whose to blame him?he might as well become a benfica fan cause its surely no fun watching madrid knowing they cant win anything again at least benfica can.Anyhooooooooow messi is out of the game,edmilson and sylvinho returns.Im very confident about this
game and ronaldinho will light it on fire.

I hope the players are as confident as you!!

I hope so too. If they're not confident in their own abilities then who will be? I know that they're not taking Benfica lightly, but the should still be confident about advancing.

For some reason I'm feeling extremely optimistic about this game. If we lose, then so be it (and I'll congratulate Benfica) but I have a good gut feeling. I think that our little scoring slump will end tomorrow.

If Benfica score first, i think they'll hold out for a 1-0 win or a 1-1 draw. I'd regularly be supporting the underdogs in these types of games but i want an Arsenal vs. Barca final so i hope Barca goes through tommorow.

The key will be the first 15-20 mins. If Benfica can hold out that wave of attack that Barca will throw at them from the kick off then you will see Benfica start to play their game. They were able to do it to Liverpool and Barca in the first leg. Benfica certainly are capable of scorring more then once Vs that Barca defense.

I don't know who to support for this tie, the underdog factor is great but Barca deserve to go through with their lovely football. Anyway good luck to both teams and may the best team on the day win.

12 hours till game time I am soo nervous and can't fall asleep this is going to be crazy match up. I hope Simao and Miccoli step it up tomorrow and light the place on fire!

Forca!

My gut tells me that Barca will be the next big side to crash out of the champions league this season ???? My gut could be wrong,but who is the man who ALWAYS gets it right ???