Benfica will be aiming to secure top spot in Champions Leauge Group C with victory over Romanian outfit Otelul Galati in Lisbon.
The Portuguese giants must recover from their first defeat of the season. Marítimo knocked the Eagles out of the Portuguese Cup on Friday, but coach Jorge Jesus insists his team are still having "a brilliant season".
"We want to continue doing what we have done up to now. We are coming off a defeat in Madeira, after 22 consecutive games without losing, so we want to get on the right track again. To do so we will have to be at our best level," said Jesus.
Indeed, perhaps the biggest job facing the Benfica boss will be eradicating any complacency among his squad. Otelul are making their debut in the tournament and have not covered themselves in glory. The Romanian side have lost all five of their five matches played so far.
Finishing top of the group will ensure Benfica avoid the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the next round, as well as having the theoretical advantage of playing the second leg at home.
"We have achieved our first major goal of the season, with was to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League. We are happy to have done so, but we also want to be first in the group. Usually only the great teams win the groups in the Champions League, and that is what we want to do now," added Jesus.
Captain Luisão remains out injured for Benfica, along with long-term absentee Enzo Pérez.
Kick-off at 7.45pm local time at the Estádio da Luz.
"We want to continue doing what we have done up to now. We are coming off a defeat in Madeira, after 22 consecutive games without losing, so we want to get on the right track again. To do so we will have to be at our best level," said Jesus.
Indeed, perhaps the biggest job facing the Benfica boss will be eradicating any complacency among his squad. Otelul are making their debut in the tournament and have not covered themselves in glory. The Romanian side have lost all five of their five matches played so far.
Finishing top of the group will ensure Benfica avoid the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the next round, as well as having the theoretical advantage of playing the second leg at home.
"We have achieved our first major goal of the season, with was to qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League. We are happy to have done so, but we also want to be first in the group. Usually only the great teams win the groups in the Champions League, and that is what we want to do now," added Jesus.
Captain Luisão remains out injured for Benfica, along with long-term absentee Enzo Pérez.
Kick-off at 7.45pm local time at the Estádio da Luz.
