Zenit St. Petersburg have been one of the big surprises of the 2015-16 UEFA Champions League thus far. The Russian champions stormed through their group to earn a third-ever trip to the knockout stages. They’ll meet a familiar foe in Portuguese champions Benfica, who have the honors of hosting Zenit at the Stadium of Light in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.
Get a full breakdown of that crucial first leg date with our preview below. And for more first Tuesday’s leg action, check out our preview of Paris St. Germain vs. Chelsea.
Reigning Portuguese champions Benfica lost some crucial momentum ahead of their big Champions League clash as they fell 2-1 at home to rivals Porto on Friday. The Eagles had previously gone unbeaten in their last 10 games, winning nine. They also lost their last Champions League home game 2-1 to Atletico Madrid, which saw the Portuguese champions drop to second in Group C.
Despite those two poor results, though, Benfica remain a very dangerous team, especially at the Estadio da Luz. They won their two other Champions League home games against minnows Astana and Galatasaray, and have scored 34 goals in 11 Portuguese league home games.
Nicolas Gaitan was Benfica’s standout performer during the group stages as he had three goals and an assist. They’ll need the Argentinian attacking midfielder to be on top of his game in order to provide adequate service to strikers Jonas and Kostas Mitroglou, who have scored 38 total goals in the league and Champions League this season.
Gaitan is certainly capable of providing the goods. He delivered a Man of the Match performance in Benfica’s biggest win of the group stage away to Atletico.
Benfica emerged victorious over two legs in their meeting with Zenit in the round of 16 back in 2011-12.
Zenit had one of the most impressive campaigns during the group stage, as they won their first five games to secure qualification to the knockout stage. That gave them the luxury to put their feet off the gas in the final group game, which they lost away to Gent.
However, it should be noted that Zenit had the good fortune of playing against Valencia and Lyon teams in total disarray in that relatively easy group. Zenit will also have the disadvantage of being a bit rusty ahead of the first leg. That loss against Gent was their last competitive game due to the Russian league’s three-month-long winter break.
Nevertheless, the Russians can call on some outstanding individual quality led by Brazilian superstar Hulk, who had three goals and four assists (tied for the most in the competition) in just five group games. Axel Witsel – a former Benfica player – is a terrific central midfielder, while striker Artem Dzyuba netted six times in six games, good for third in the tournament’s scoring charts.
Zenit manager Andre Villas-Boas is no stranger to the big stages of European football. He led Porto to the Europa League title in 2011. He should have the tactical savvy to keep his side well-organized and tough to break down. Zenit conceded just six goals in six group games. Meanwhile, the pace and power of Hulk will be a tremendous weapon on the counter-attack as Zenit look to snatch a crucial away goal.
Villas-Boas’ Zenit defeated Benfica both home and away in last year’s Champions League group stage.
Writer’s Prediction
Benfica and Zenit share the spoils in the first leg as they play out a 1-1 draw (+220).
