Fenerbahce will face Portuguese giants Benfica in the UEFA Champions League play-off return leg on Tuesday, aiming to secure a place in the group stage for the first time since the 2008-09 season, according to Turkish media.
The match is set for 10:00 p.m. at Estadio da Luz, Lisbon. Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic will take charge, assisted by Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic.
Slavko Vincic during a game in 2021 (AA Photo)
More to Read
Vincic previously officiated the high-profile Galatasaray-Fenerbahce derby in the Trendyol Super Lig last season.
Fenerbahce enters the return leg following a first-leg encounter at Kadikoy. The team will be without striker Cenk Tosun, sidelined because of injury. Cengiz Under, who replaced Tosun in the first-leg squad, will again be available for the UEFA match list.
A victory in Lisbon would mark Fenerbahce’s return to the Champions League group stage after 16 years. The club last competed at this level during the 2008-09 season.
Fred (7) of Fenerbahce celebrates after scoring a goal with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second-leg football match between Fenerbahce and Feyenoord at Chobani Stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye on August 12, 2025. (AA Photo)
Probable lineups
| Team | Goalkeeper | Defenders | Midfielders | Forwards |
| Benfica | Trubin | Dedic, Antonio Silva, Otamendi, Dahl | Barreiro, Rios, Barrenechea, Aursnes | Schjelderup, Pavlidis |
| Fenerbahce | Irfan Can | Muldur, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Semedo | Amrabat, Fred, Brown, Szymanski | Duran, En-Nesyri |
Kerem Akturkoglu of Benfica in action during the UEFA Champions League play-off round match between Fenerbahce and Benfica, at Chobani Stadium in Istanbul, Türkiye on August 20, 2025. (AA Photo)
European record
Fenerbahce has played 289 matches in European competitions, with 114 wins, 62 draws, and 113 losses. The team has scored 397 goals while conceding 411.
| Competition | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against |
| UEFA Cup | 54 | 18 | 10 | 26 | 72 | 91 |
| UEFA Europa League | 94 | 46 | 28 | 20 | 136 | 96 |
| European Cup Winners Cup | 33 | 9 | 4 | 20 | 30 | 70 |
| UEFA Champions League Qualifiers | 41 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 62 | 50 |
| UEFA Champions League | 40 | 11 | 6 | 23 | 42 | 70 |
| UEFA Cup Winners Cup | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 11 |
| UEFA Conference League | 18 | 12 | – | 6 | 44 | 23 |
| Total | 289 | 114 | 62 | 113 | 397 | 411 |
The club has faced Portuguese teams 13 times, winning five, drawing two, and losing six. This will be Fenerbahce’s eighth official encounter with Benfica.
Fenerbahce face Benfica in a pre-season friendly match at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon, Portugal, July 26, 2025. (AA Photo)
Historical context vs. Benfica
- First met in the 1975-76 UEFA Cup Winners Cup, losing 7-0 in Lisbon and winning 1-0 at home.
- 2012-13 Europa League semi-final: Fenerbahce won 1-0 at home but lost 3-1 away.
- 2018-19 Champions League 3rd qualifying round: Benfica won 1-0 at home, Fenerbahce drew 1-1 in Istanbul.
Quinten Timber (R) of Feyenoord in action against Sofyan Amrabat (L) of Fenerbahce during the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round first leg match between Fenerbahce and Feyenoord, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, August 06, 2025. (AA Photo)
European challenge
Fenerbahce will play its 42nd Champions League qualifier match, having won 15, drawn 13, and lost 13. A win would finally break a 16-year absence from the group stage.
The team has struggled away against Portuguese sides, never defeating Porto and having lost three previous away matches to Benfica.
Youssef En-Nesyri (R) of Fenerbahce celebrates after scoring a goal during the Turkish Super Lig week 35 football match between RAMS Basaksehir and Fenerbahce at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium in Istanbul, Turkiye on May 09, 2025. (AA Photo)
Key players to watch
- Youssef En-Nesyri: Physical presence, aerial dominance.
- Cengiz Under: Technical winger, replacing injured Cenk Tosun.
- Fred & Amrabat: Midfield anchors with Champions League experience.
Fenerbahce faces Benfica in Champions League playoff
Training and Mourinho’s comments
Fenerbahce conducted their final preparation session at Estadio da Luz under the supervision of Jose Mourinho. The training started with warm-up exercises, followed by 5v2 ball recovery drills, station exercises, and a half-field scrimmage. The session concluded with finishing practice.
Mourinho emphasized a clear objective ahead of the match: “Our only target is to win. Benfica has talented players and a well-organized defense, but we are focused on our game and will not be intimidated by the crowd.”
Fenerbahce faces Benfica in Champions League playoff
The Portuguese coach also praised his counterpart at Benfica, Bruno Lage, saying, “Bruno is a great coach. I respect his career and wish him success. He has a strong squad and can surprise us, but our focus remains on winning.”
Anderson Talisca, speaking alongside Mourinho, highlighted the team’s motivation: “We are fully prepared and focused. It will be a tough match, but we are ready to show our capabilities and fight for victory.”
Fenerbahce faces Benfica in Champions League playoff
‘Benfica will fight for UCL group stage’
Benfica manager Bruno Lage stressed the importance of winning to reach the Champions League group stage. “We have to win tomorrow.
Fenerbahce is a Champions League-level team with high-quality players, and we know their coach well. But with our stadium and fans behind us, our aim is clear: victory and qualification,” Lage said at Benfica Campus.
The Portuguese coach also discussed defensive strategy: “When we don’t have the ball, we must defend compactly. We will utilize every opportunity to score and focus fully on the 90 minutes ahead. Beating Fenerbahce is our only goal.”
Argentine midfielder Enzo Barrenechea, who joined Lage at the press briefing, said, “Playing at home gives us an advantage. We’ve prepared well as a team and are determined to win. Losing isn’t even a thought for us—we will fight until the end to secure our spot in the Champions League group stage.”
August 27, 2025 02:04 PM GMT+03:00
