Benfica vs Qarabag FK — Champions League Preview (16 Sept 2025)
Kick-off: 21:00 CET
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon
Competition: UEFA Champions League 2025/26, Matchday 1
Match Context
Benfica, Portuguese giants with a proud European history, begin their Champions League group stage campaign against Qarabag FK, the dominant side from Azerbaijan.
Roger Schmidt’s men are expected to dominate at home, but Qarabag have proven themselves tricky opponents in Europe, often upsetting more fancied sides with compact defending and counter-attacks.
Benfica are unbeaten in their last 8 home matches in European competition (UEFA), while Qarabag arrive with confidence after storming through qualifiers.
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Team News & Predicted Lineups
Benfica (4-2-3-1)
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GK: Anatoliy Trubin
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RB: Alexander Bah
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CB: António Silva
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CB: Nicolás Otamendi (C)
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LB: Álvaro Fernández
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CM: Florentino Luís
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CM: Orkun Kökçü
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RW: Ángel Di María
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AM: Rafa Silva
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LW: David Neres
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ST: Arthur Cabral
Key Notes:
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Di María continues to provide world-class experience on the right.
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Rafa Silva is in excellent form, a major creative force.
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Trubin is trusted as the No.1 in Europe.
Qarabag FK (4-4-1-1)
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GK: Andrey Lunev
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RB: Badavi Hüseynov
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CB: Kevin Medina
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CB: Elvin Cafarquliyev
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LB: Leandro Andrade
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RM: Abdellah Zoubir
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CM: Richard Almeida
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CM: Marko Janković
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LM: Qara Qarayev
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SS: Juninho
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ST: Redon Xhixha
Key Notes:
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Qarabag will play deep and disciplined, relying on counters.
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Juninho and Zoubir are their main creative sparks.
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Defence will be under constant pressure from Benfica’s pace and technical play.
Tactical Analysis
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Benfica’s Plan:
High pressing, fluid attack, and wing overloads with Di María and Neres stretching Qarabag’s backline. Cabral provides the focal point inside the box. -
Qarabag’s Plan:
Compact 4-4-1-1, soak up pressure, break quickly through Juninho’s dribbling and Zoubir’s pace. They will aim for set-pieces to threaten Benfica. -
Key Battle: Rafa Silva vs Qarabag’s midfield screen — if Rafa finds space, Benfica will dominate.
Key Players to Watch
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Benfica: Ángel Di María — still decisive with crosses, set-pieces, and vision.
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Benfica: Rafa Silva — direct runner, capable of unlocking tight defences.
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Qarabag FK: Juninho — technical forward who links play and exploits counters.
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Qarabag FK: Andrey Lunev — goalkeeper expected to be very busy in Lisbon.
Sources: