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2022/23 UEFA Champions League
Round of 16 - First-Leg
Club Brugge v SL Benfica
Jan Breydelstadion
Brugge, Belgium
Wednesday, 15 February 2023
Kick-off is at 22h00
Club Brugge will battle it out with SL Benfica in a
UEFA Champions League match at the Jan Breydelstadion on February 15.
Champions League Form
Brugge progressed to this round as Group B runners-up having accumulated 11 points from six matches - winning three games, drawing two and losing once.
However, the Belgian champions are winless in their last three matches in the Champions League having recorded one defeat and two draws.
While Benfica finished top of Group H having collected 14 points from six matches having registered four victories and two draws.
The Portuguese giants are also undefeated in their last 11 matches in the Champions League having registered three draws and eight victories.
What Is At Stake
Brugge will be determined to bounce back to winning ways at the Jan Breydelstadion as they lost to FC Porto in their game in the Champions League at the stadium.
They will be up against a Benfica side which is undefeated in their last eight away matches in this competition and they will be keen to end Benfica's unbeaten run.
Benfica will play host to Brugge at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on 7 March 2023 and the team that scores more goals on aggregate over the two legs advances to the quarter-finals.
Team News
Brugge star Ferran Jutglà suffered a hip injury in the win at Zulte-Waregem on January 29 and sat out the draw at Antwerp on February 5, and it remains to be seen whether he will face Benfica.
While Benfica star Rafa Silva was out between 15 January and 4 February with a muscle injury, and it is unclear whether he will be available against Brugge.
Key Players
With Jutglà an injury doubt, Brugge will look to goalscoring midfielder Kamal Sowah who found the back of the team against Atletico Madrid and FC Porto in the previous round.
On the other hand, Benfica will pin their hopes of defeating Brugge on experienced attacking midfielder Joao Mario who scored four goals in the group stage.
Quotes
Scott Parker, Club Brugge coach: "When I got the call [from Club Brugge], how they sold it was pretty special. The fire came back in my belly. It was the feeling of 'I can't wait to get going!', so let's go for it."
Roger Schmidt, Benfica coach: "Club Brugge are a strong team with a lot of young, talented players. We've already achieved our first goal, which was to get through the group stage, but obviously we'll continue to fight to win every game."
Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever meeting between Brugge and Benfica in the Champions League or a in a competitive match.
(UEFA Champions League Meetings)
Matches - 0
Brugge - 0
Benfica - 0
Draws - 0
UEFA Champions League fixtures - 14-15 February
All matches to kick-off at 22h00
Tuesday, February 14
AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur
Paris Saint Germain v Bayern Munich
Wednesday, February 15
Club Brugge v SL Benfica
Borussia Dortmund v Chelsea FC
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