Coach Roger Schmidt has the best chance of reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League with Benfica Lisbon.
The Portuguese record champions and league leaders deservedly won 2-0 (0-0) in the round of 16 first leg at Club Bruges, Joao Mario with a penalty kick (51st) and David Neres (88th) scored the goals for the guests. The second leg will take place in Lisbon on March 7th, then Benfica could make the quarter-finals perfect like last year.
Benfica dominated the action even without Julian Draxler, Bruges acted largely unimaginative except for one phase in the first half. With the lead behind them, the “Adlers” were able to concentrate even more on their defense – Neres made everything clear shortly before the end.
Even without world champion Enzo Fernandez, Benfica is aiming for the next round. The Argentine switched to Chelsea during the winter break for 121 million euros.