As Benfica prepare to face Philippe Clement’s Rangers in the Europa League’s round-of-16 this week, their chances of getting qualification for the quarter-finals are being put into doubt by the Portuguese media.
The Eagles would usually be favourites over Rangers and are far from having a disastrous season, as they’re still alive in the fight for the league and cup titles, but their 5-0 defeat to Porto at the weekend has completely ruined confidence at the club.
Former Benfica director Gaspar Ramos has a little ‘prophecy’ about the game against Rangers. Speaking to Radio Renascença’s Bola Branca, he claims that if the Scottish side score first, then it’ll be hard for the Eagles to get any support from their fans for a comeback.
“This game was humiliating. They had to apologise to the Benfica fans, in particular, and to the whole football world for playing such a sad game.
“If we’re unfortunate enough to concede first (against Rangers), it can create a difficult atmosphere in the stands and obviously doesn’t help the result.”
Benfica and Rangers will play the round-of-16 first leg at the Estádio da Luz on Thursday, and have the decisive game at Ibrox a week later.
Now even though the Scottish side were never seen as clear favourites for the clash, it seems they could use the mood in Lisbon in their favour and capitalise on the current doubt at Benfica.
