Match Previews

Coach Camacho quit the club and assistant Fernando Chalana will be the caretaker coach till the end of the season... Trying to recover from the tough 1-2 home loss from the 1st leg... Defensive midfielder Petit (k) is back from suspension but Binya (sp) is still under the ban (his last game) and striker Óscar Cardozo (r) is also out... Centre-backs Luisão (k), David Luiz (r) and Zoro (sp) all out injured, such as attacking midfielder Nuno Assis (sp)... Coach Camacho has quit the club after the 2-2 home draw against last placed Leiria and that caught the players and staff surprised, although the team weren't performing well for a long time. Thus, it will be Fernando Chalana the caretaker coach till the end of the season. As for the UEFA Cup, Benfica lost 1-2 on the first leg and things are very difficult now. Striker Óscar Cardozo was sent off at the 8th minute in that game and not only he weakened his side on the first leg as he will also miss this second leg match due to suspension, joining centre midfielder Binya (sp) in that list. Defensive midfielder Petit is back from suspension and he also seems fit after a light injury. Chalana won't count on centre-backs Luisão, David Luiz and Zoro so the two starters will be Edcarlos and Katsouranis (the Greek was suspended for the Liga so now he's available again). Besides Petit, hard-working midfielder Maxi Pereira and forward Makukula seem recovered from injury and they return to the call-up, such as right-back Nélson, who comes from a league suspension, like Katsouranis. Benfica's problems are not only in defence, as Cardozo's absence will be felt on the attack. Luckily for Benfica, Nuno Gomes and Makukula are recovered from injuries and they are options to be used, just like usual substitute Mantorras, the single team scorer on the first leg. If Makukula is ready to start, then Di María could be benched, Maxi Pereira plays on the right side with a more muscular style and Nuno Gomes plays deeper behind the striker.