Preview: This could be the key match for both clubs
Both Benfica and Olympiakos come into Wednesday's match at the Estádio da Luz with three points. And oddly enough, they both defeated Anderlecht, while they both lost to PSG by a three goal margin.
The Portuguese outfit struggled at times in their opening match against Anderlecht, but they were able to get the job done, with a 2-0 victory. Their second match in the group did not go so well, as they traveled to Paris to take on Ibrahimovic and his very talented PSG side.
Three goals in the first half dictated the result, as the Parisians took their foot off the gas in the second half. A very timid and nervous looking Benfica did not look capable of causing any problems for the French side.
Olympiakos also defeated the Belgian side, but they did so by a 0-3 scoreline, and they did it at the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Brussels. They hosted PSG in their opening match at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, and were handed a 1-4 defeat.
Now level on points, both these sides know that PSG will more than likely come out on top of the group, as is expected. That leaves them with two matches against each other to gain an advantage going into the final two matches of the group.
Benfica has not been all that impressive this season, looking like a shadow of the team they were last year.
The players look unmotivated, and they do not seem to play that high paced offensive style anymore. But regardless of how they have been playing, Benfica's manager believes that this is an important match, but not decisive.
"It is not decisive, but it is certainly important," Jorge Jesus said in his press-conference on Tuesday. "There are still a lot of matches to be played, and everything is very much even, with the exception of the matches with PSG. Winning will be important, but it will not decide anything just yet."
Jorge Jesus' side comes into this match having defeated lower division Cinfães 0-1 on Saturday in the Taça de Portugal. And while the result may not look all the convincing, in their defense, they fielded a lot of players who have had limited playing time this season.
In the domestic league, a rocky start has them third with 14 points, five back of leaders Porto and three back of same city rivals Sporting CP.
On Wednesday night, they will be up against some familiar faces in Roberto and Javier Saviola, who represented Benfica just a few years ago.
"They are two players with different characteristics, not from a players standpoint, but due to their time spent here at the club," said Jesus. "Saviola arrived as a big name player. Roberto came from a strong league, but he was not a player who had played as many matches as Saviola. But I continue to believe that he is an excellent goalkeeper."
Excellent or not, Roberto will have to do his best to keep some of his former teammates from scoring on Wednesday night.
Paulo Machado, Portuguese international who plays for Olympiakos believes that the two matches against Benfica will be played like 'finals'.
"It is very important, and all the players know they will have to play as if it is a final," Machado told reporters. "It will be a difficult match for both sides. We dream of making it to the next round, but Benfica go into this match as favorites because they are playing at home, and are a very strong side."
Regardless of who is strong or not, the Portuguese side has shown that they are not yet the same team they were last season. Olympiakos has enough talent to cause the hosts problems, and they will come into this match with confidence.
Undefeated in the domestic league, Olympiakos is currently first with 22 points, and a 22 goal difference. They are on a five match win streak in all competitions, with 15 goals scored and one goal conceded. Their last defeat came at home against PSG.
Seeing the importance for both these sides, fans can be in for a very tight affair, with both sides not wanting to make the first mistake that could cost them points.
Where to watch the match - live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Benfica vs Olympiakos live on Wednesday, October 23, 2013:
In Canada at 14:45 ET on: Sportsnet One, Sportsnet World Online
In the UK at 19:45 BST on: Sky Sports Red Button, Sky Sports Events Centre
In the USA at 14:45 ET on: Fox Soccer 2Go
Fans in Portugal can follow this match live on Sport TV 1 at 19:45 local time. If you are in Greece, tune into ERT Web Sport 1 for live coverage of this UEFA Champions League match.
If you are outside these viewing areas, please be sure to visit the Benfica vs Olympiakos match page for full TV listings.
