After crashing out of the Champions league, few expected Portuguese side Benfica to make a deep run in the Europa League. The team has done just that but faces a daunting task heading into the second leg of the semifinal against Fenerbahçe.
Benfica lost 1-0 on the road and must win to proceed to the final. The Turkish side only needs one goal to put Benfica in an unfavorable position. With one goal, Fenerbahçe would force the Portuguese side to score at least three goals to advance.
''It is a result that is dangerous but also gives confidence that we can turn it around,'' said Benfica coach Jorge Jesus during a press conference. ''We have some experience of these matches in the Europa League and the Champions League so we are calm... We will not change anything that we have done throughout this Europa League campaign."
He noted that playing at home will be comforting as the team holds an 11-2-0 record at the Éstadio da Luz. 'Benfica will continue to do what we have done at home and we believe that we will be in the final,'' he noted. ''We will give everything for this to be a reality.''
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce is taking in the limelight of having made it all the way to the semifinals.
''Right now we are achieving something huge. We're in the semi-finals, we're about to face Benfica and for the club, for the fans, for Turkey, it's something exceptional," said Fenerbahçe's Moussa Sow. ''We will do everything to reach the final and why not win the trophy?''
The Turkish team only needs to score one goal to put themselves at a major advantage.
Predictions: Benfica explodes for a 3-0 victory.
TV Info: Fox Soccer Plus