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UEFA Champions League: SL Benfica vs Paris Saint-Germain – Match Preview

Benfica vs PSG UCL
Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain are only separated on goals scored at the top of UCL Group H.

The two teams are facing off after strong beginnings to their respective seasons. Benfica, who are currently in first place in Liga Portugal, have won all but one of their eight league games so far this season (D1); however, that lone draw occurred at the weekend as Benfica limped to a scoreless draw away at Vitória de Guimares.

Benfica’s coach Roger Schmidt insisted he was not “worried about the result” and a return to the Estádio da Luz should garner some confidence, given they’ve won all of their five home UCL matches against French opposition, including a 2-1 victory against PSG back in 2013! However, the Eagles have not won their opening two home games across their last four UCL group stage appearances, perhaps raising doubts over their credentials here.

It’s been a dream start to 2022/23 for French champions PSG, who sit top of Ligue 1 in the early standings, with victory eluding them just once in 12 competitive outings this season (W11, D1). A 3-1 away win against Maccabi Haifa in their last UCL match also ended PSG’s worrying five-game winless away run in the competition, and means Christophe Galtier could now become the club’s third coach to win his opening three UCL matches with victory here.

It’s unlikely to be an easy feat for Galtier to achieve, with PSG set for a tough test against a Benfica side who they’ve lost against in their previous three away European H2Hs, despite finding the net on all occasions. PSG’s only win on Portuguese soil actually dates back to 2009 (W1, D1, L5) and was a 1-0 win against Braga, but history may not be relevant with the “MNM” in town, as the hottest trio in Europe of Messi, Neymar and Mbappé have scored 29 of PSG’s 37 goals this season, including 100% in the UCL (five).

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