Champions League: Benfica vs Zenith - Macth Facts, Statistics & All You Need To Know

Benfica finished second in Group C behind Atletico Madrid to reach the knockout stages while Zenit finished top in Group H ahead of Gent to reach the knockout stages.

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.

Astana 2-2 Benfica: Watch The Goals & Highlights

                

Marcos Lopes Joins Monaco

Having failed to make an impact at Manchester City, Marcos Lopes has switched to Monaco.

Manchester City have confirmed that midfielder Marcos Lopes has joined Monaco. Lopes joined City from Benfica in 2011, going on to make just five senior appearances.

And the 19-year-old, who scored three goals in 27 games on loan at Lille last term, has now secured a switch to the Stade Louis II.

Nigeria's Teenage Sensation Jesse Sekidika Signs For Benfica

Young Nigerian Jesse Sekidika has a lot going for him after he signed a contract with the Benfica U19 side before the transfer window closed on Monday. The 18-year-old winger is expected to prove himself with the youth side and then take a step up to the senior team all things being equal.

Monday saw the Port Harcourt-born player take a big step forward in a promising career that has seen him in England, where he played at Leicestershire-based private boarding school Brooke House College.

Marcos Rojo Eager For Manchester United Debut

Marcos Rojo is relishing the prospect of making his Manchester United debut next week. Argentina international Rojo signed for United from Sporting Lisbon last month in a deal worth £16million, but has not yet featured for his new club due to delays in him being given a visa.

However, the UK Border Agency granted the left-sided defender permission to live and work in the country earlier in the week, meaning he is now free to play for United. Rojo is therefore in line to make his Premier League bow when Louis van Gaal's side host QPR after the international break on September 14.

Manchester United Flop Bebe Signs For Benfica

Benfica have secured the signing of Manchester United outcast Bebe on a four-year deal that could be worth €3million. Bebe was signed by former Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson from Vitoria Guimaraes for an estimated £7m in 2010.

However, Ferguson admitted he had never seen the winger play and Bebe subsequently managed just seven appearances in four years at the club - the last three of which were all spent out on loan.

After unsuccessful spells with Besiktas and Rio Ave, the 24-year-old finally proved his talents with an impressive campaign at Pacos de Ferreira last season, scoring 13 goals in all competitions for the Primeira Liga strugglers.

EUROPA LEAGUE : Sevilla, Benfica to meet in Europa final

Benfica and Sevilla reached the Europa League final on Thursday, further cementing an Iberian grip on the continent's game.

In a week which had already seen Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid set up a Champions League title showdown, Europe's second-tier tournament followed a similar script.

Benfica, runners-up to Chelsea in last year's final, weathered a Juventus onslaught in Turin to hold out for a 0-0 draw and a 2-1 semifinal aggregate win.

JORGE JESUS: Juventus Can't Afford To Slip Up

Jorge Jesus says all the pressure is on Juventus ahead of the second leg of Benfica's Europa League semi-final next week.

The newly-crowned Primeira Liga champions won the first leg in Lisbon 2-1 last week and they travel to Turin on Thursday looking to make it to successive finals in the competition.

With this year's final being held at the Juventus Stadium, the Benfica boss has piled on the pressure on Antonio Conte's side by suggesting they cannot afford not to be eliminated.

EUROPA LEAGUE: How Lima Fired Benfica To Late Victory Over Juventus

Rodrigo Lima came off the bench to fire Benfica to a 2-1 victory over Juventus in an enthralling Europa League semi-final first leg at Estadio da Luz.

Benfica – spurred on by a fervent home crowd – started brightly and took the lead inside three minutes when Ezequiel Garay headed a corner past the despairing reach of Gianluigi Buffon.

Miralem Sulejmani wasted a great opening to double the hosts’ lead before Juventus belatedly imposed themselves on the match, fashioning a couple of half-chances from aerial deliveries as the opening period wore on.

BIG MOUTH!!! Jesus Has No Class Says Tim Sherwood

Tim Sherwood has accused Benfica coach Jorge Jesus of lacking class following their touchline spat in a stormy Europa League clash at White Hart Lane on Thursday.

The Portuguese side beat Tottenham 3-1 in the first leg of the last 16 tie and the two coaches appeared to exchange words on several occasions during the match. Sherwood accused Jesus of celebrating the third Benfica goal by raising three fingers and waving goodbye - and the Spurs boss refused to shake hands with his counterpart at the end of the game.

“I thought his team were very good and showed a lot of class,” Sherwood said. “It’s a shame he wasn’t the same.

EUROPA LEAGUE: Juventus Held, Spurs Suffers Defeat

The pressure on Tim Sherwood and Tottenham cranked up a gear as their hopes of reaching the Europa League quarterfinals were made remote by Benfica's comprehensive 3-1 victory in North London.

Sherwood publicly criticised his players after Saturday's embarrassing 4-0 defeat to rivals Chelsea, which midfielder Sandro revealed led to a furious two-hour crisis meeting at Stamford Bridge.

However, there was to be no morale-boosting response in this last-16 tie against Benfica, who are now overwhelming favourites to progress ahead of next week's second leg.

CHELSEA: Nemanja Matic Set To Sack Mikel

Just when it seemed like things were finally beginning to work out again for John Obi Mikel at Chelsea, the signing of Nemanja Matic places another immense barrier in his way. This one might be particularly difficult to overcome.

It had appeared that the Nigerian midfielder’s stay in West London was coming to an end in the summer. Despite spending eight years at Stamford Bridge and accruing a medal collection that would be the envy of almost any other professional in the game, Mikel was heavily linked with a move away.

Jose Mourinho, the returning Chelsea boss, wasn’t convinced by Mikel’s progression and thus not confident that the Super Eagle would be able to contribute to the side’s title push. The Portuguese boss was also blessed with a roster packed with midfielders of all shapes and sizes, capable of fulfilling all manner of different roles and potentially flourishing in a range of different formulations.

CHELSEA: Nemanja Matic completes £21m Chelsea return

Chelsea have completed the £21m signing of Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic on a five-and-a-half-year deal. The 25-year-old left Stamford Bridge for Portugal three years ago.

"I am very happy for this opportunity. I just want to say I will give my best to help the team and make the Chelsea fans happy," said Matic

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said: "He has grown as a player in Portugal and has become a fantastic all-round midfielder."