This is the first time Benfica have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2011/12. That season, they were eliminated by eventual winners Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
Zenit have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third time in the last five seasons (2011/12, 2013/14, 2015/16). However, they have never made it past the Last 16.
Zenit finished top in Group H ahead of Gent to reach the knockout stages.
Benfica and Zenit’s only previous encounter in the knockout stages of the Champions League saw the Portuguese club progress, it was in the last 16 of the tournament back in 2011/12 (4-3 on aggregate).
However, Zenit have won three of their four Champions League games against Benfica, including their two encounters in the group stages in 2014/15.
Zenit are the only Russian team to have beaten Benfica at the Estadio Da Luz in European competition, it was in September 2014 (2-0).
Zenit have won their last three away games against Portuguese clubs in European competition, qualifiers included.
Benfica have scored more than two goals only once in their last 36 Champions League games (v Anderlecht in November 2013).
Benfica have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five Champions League games. Their only shut-out this season was against Astana at home (2-0).
Zenit St Petersburg won five of their six games in this season’s group stages, the joint-highest tally alongside Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Raúl Jiménez has scored two and assisted two of Benfica’s last four Champions League goals.
Zenit’s Artem Dzyuba has scored/assisted 61.5% of his team’s goals in the Champions League this season (8 out of 13).
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