Bayern Munich flew to Portugal yesterday for what they expect to be a serious test of their Champions League credentials against Benfica tonight.
A 1-0 win in Munich last week has put the Bavarians ahead in the tie, but they must successfully navigate a further 90 or 120 minutes if they want to advance to a fifth straight semi-final.
And the 2013 European champions are well aware they cannot celebrate yet.
"It was a good result but it was not a cushion we can relax on," Bayern's director of sport Matthias Sammer said at a press conference in Munich. "We still expect a very difficult challenge. There's definitely a lot of pressure, also for us."
Bayern had looked set to cruise into the last four when Arturo Vidal’s second-minute strike put them ahead at the Allianz Arena last week.
However, Benfica showed their battling qualities to restrict Pep Guardiola’s side to one goal and, buoyed by the achievement of compatriots Porto in beating Bayern 3-1 in Portugal last season, will be confident of pulling off a shock by reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 1990.
“They have one of the best defences in Europe,” Bayern defender Javi Martinez said of Benfica on his club’s website. “They defend very high up the field and are very aggressive and tight, which makes it hard to pass the ball through.
“But we will try to win the game because that is the Bayern mentality.”
A draw would be enough for Guardiola’as men while Benfica will be forced to come out of their defensive shell to attack them, which could play into the German club’s hands.
"If we get a goal then there's a big chance that we will go through,"said Bayern captain Philipp Lahm. "I have no doubt about that."
Attacking talents
Benfica’s hopes could be dented by the absence of two of their attacking talents.
Jonas, who has scored 18 goals in 18 appearances this season, will definitely miss out through suspension, and Nico Gaitan is rated doubtful after missing training on Tuesday due to a muscular problem.
