Benfica, favorite in Bruges even without Enzo

Benfica, who qualified first in the group ahead of mighty PSG, go into their round of 16 tie against Club Brugge as favorites despite the January departure from Chelsea of ​​Enzo Fernández, world champion in Qatar along with Argentina, in exchange for 125 million euros.

Leaders of the First League, Benfica returned to Europe after being knocked out on Friday in the Portuguese Cup on penalties against Braga, but continue to have a very competitive squad with central defender Nicolás Otamendi, another new champion in world; the Valencian winger Alejandro Grimaldo, chosen yesterday as the best defender in December and January in Portugal; David Neres, the scorer Gonçalo Ramos or Gonçalo Guedes, on loan from Wolves in January.

Other Bruges

Bruges was far from the team that surprised in the first stage, leaving Atlético and Bayer Leverkusen to account in their group. In fact, their coach is no longer Carl Hoefekens, who was dismissed on December 28. The arrival of the Englishman Scott Parker (formerly of Chelsea and Tottenham among others) did not improve the results and, in his one winning seven games since his arrival, Bruges are fourth in the Belgian league, 20 points behind leaders Genk. In addition, their goalscorers, former Barça players Ferran Jutglà and Andreas Skov Olsen, did not miss the last games due to injury. Catalan is doubtful and Danish is low.

likely lineups

Jan Breydelstadion, 9:00 pm

Club Bruges: Mignolet; Clinton Mata, Hendry, Mechele, Meijer; Rits, Onyedika, Vanaken; Buchanan, Roman Yaremchuk, Lang
Instructor: Scott Parker
Benfica: Vlachodimos; Bah, Antonio Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Chiquinho, Florentino; João Mário, David Neres, Aursnes; Goncalo Guedes
Instructor: Roger Schmidt
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy) / VAR: Paolo Valeri (Italy)