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 long and proud European history, begin their 2025/26 Champions League group stage campaign with a home fixture against Qarabag FK, the dominant side from Azerbaijan. Benfica enter this match as favorites, leveraging their quality squad and experience in European competition. However, Qarabag have proven in previous seasons that they can be a challenging opponent for stronger sides, often using disciplined defending and rapid counter-attacks to unsettle their adversaries. Benfica have been unbeaten in their last 8 European home matches, a record that underlines their potential to dominate from the outset. Qarabag, meanwhile, arrive in Lisbon with confidence, having successfully navigated the qualifying rounds and demonstrating their capability to compete on bigger stages.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Benfica (4-2-3-1)
GK: Anatoliy Trubin
RB: Alexander Bah
CB: António Silva
CB: Nicolás Otamendi (C)
LB: Álvaro Fernández
CM: Florentino Luís
CM: Orkun Kökçü
RW: Ángel Di María
AM: Rafa Silva
LW: David Neres
ST: Arthur Cabral
Key Notes: Di María provides invaluable experience and leadership on the right wing. Rafa Silva has been in excellent form, showing creativity and goal-scoring capability. Trubin, trusted as the No.1 goalkeeper in European competition, is expected to marshal the defense effectively. Cabral will serve as the focal point in attack, combining with wingers and attacking midfielders to create goal opportunities. The midfield duo of Florentino Luís and Kökçü will be crucial in controlling tempo and breaking up Qarabag’s attacks.
Qarabag FK (4-4-1-1)
GK: Andrey Lunev
RB: Badavi Hüseynov
CB: Kevin Medina
CB: Elvin Cafarquliyev
LB: Leandro Andrade
RM: Abdellah Zoubir
CM: Richard Almeida
CM: Marko Janković
LM: Qara Qarayev
SS: Juninho
ST: Redon Xhixha
Key Notes: Qarabag’s game plan will focus on compact defensive organization and exploiting counters. Juninho and Zoubir provide creativity and attacking threat from midfield, while Lunev is expected to be busy dealing with Benfica’s pace and technical play. Their defensive line will aim to stay disciplined, forcing Benfica to take difficult shots from outside the box. Qarabag will rely on set-pieces and rapid transitions to create scoring opportunities.
Tactical Analysis
Benfica’s Strategy: Expect high pressing and fluid attacking movements. Full-backs will overlap to stretch the opposition, while wingers Di María and Neres provide width and crossing options. Rafa Silva operates between the lines, linking midfield and attack. Benfica’s possession-based approach seeks to dominate the ball and create openings in Qarabag’s defensive setup. Quick one-two passing in central areas may create space for Cabral inside the penalty box.
Qarabag’s Strategy: The Azerbaijani side is likely to adopt a compact 4-4-1-1, prioritizing defensive stability. Their forwards, Juninho and Xhizha, will be ready to exploit any defensive errors and launch counter-attacks. The team will aim to win second balls and use set-piece situations as potential scoring avenues. Patience and discipline are key to Qarabag’s approach, as a single lapse could be costly against a technically gifted side like Benfica.
Key Battles
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Rafa Silva vs Qarabag midfield: If Rafa can find pockets of space, Benfica will gain control and create multiple goal-scoring chances.
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Di María’s creativity vs Qarabag defense: His crossing and set-piece quality could prove decisive.
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Andrey Lunev vs Arthur Cabral: Qarabag’s goalkeeper must be alert and decisive to keep Benfica at bay.
Players to Watch
Benfica:
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Ángel Di María — continues to deliver precise crosses, set-pieces, and smart playmaking.
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Rafa Silva — a direct runner who can unlock defenses and provide assists or goals.
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Arthur Cabral — the target man in the box, crucial for finishing chances.
Qarabag FK:
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Juninho — technical forward who links play and exploits counters efficiently.
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Andrey Lunev — the goalkeeper expected to face multiple shots and crucial in defending against set-pieces.
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Abdellah Zoubir — a threat on the wings capable of sudden bursts and long-range attempts.
Match Prediction
Benfica’s superior quality and home advantage make them favorites. They are likely to dominate possession and create the majority of clear chances, though Qarabag’s compact defensive shape may frustrate early attempts. Predicted scoreline: Benfica 2-0 Qarabag — one goal from set-piece delivery and a second from a quick break following sustained pressure.
Extended Analysis
Benfica’s midfield control will be crucial in breaking down Qarabag’s disciplined lines. Florentino Luís and Kökçü must intercept counter-attacks and distribute the ball quickly to wingers. Overlapping full-backs may create overloads on the flanks, forcing Qarabag to adjust shape constantly. The interplay between Di María, Rafa Silva, and Cabral could prove decisive in opening the defense.
Qarabag’s best chance lies in absorbing pressure and exploiting turnovers. Quick passes to Juninho and Zoubir in transition could create scoring opportunities, especially if Benfica’s defensive line pushes high. Set-pieces may also play a pivotal role, as Qarabag could capitalize on aerial threats. Benfica’s early pressing in the first 20 minutes could dictate the rhythm, making it essential for Qarabag to remain organized and patient.
Overall, this match represents a classic contrast in European football — home dominance and attacking flair versus compact defensive resilience and counter-attacking efficiency. Benfica are expected to leverage their experience, technical skills, and home advantage to claim victory, while Qarabag aim to frustrate and exploit any mistakes to create scoring chances.
Sources & References:
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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: