Benfica fans fear impact of big name transfers on Champions League hopes

It’s the return of the big time game time lhads and ladies. The dream that Celtic have chased over the last few years as the club return to the Champions League.

Absence has made the heart grow fonder with the big nights that almost became commonplace in the first decade of the century return. For the third time in six years Celtic host Benfica with Barcelona making their fourth competitive trip to Celtic in a decade later in the campaign.

Following the views of supporters from Barcelona and Spartak Moscow here are the views of the fans of tonights opponents SL Benfica courtesy of Benfica fan site www.planetbenfica.net. Big thank you to these fans for sharing their views.

1)What do you think about your opponents in the group?

MDOT
I`ve looked at it as hardest group out of all the Portuguese teams. Barca is Barca and will give all teams in the group one hell of a fight, Celtic is never easy at home, and Russian clubs tend to be under rated and surprise in the CL (especially in the group stages)

PORTUCALE
I personally feel that is a very much equal group, although Barcelona is considered the best team in the world I believe they are beateeble, and knowing the history between Celtic and Barcelona is going to be very interesting

1904
Mixed feelings was my initial thought. Was looking forward to meeting an English side (mainly due to proximity) but also wanted to avoid Manchester United and Chelsea as we have recently played both. Arsenal would have been ideal as we haven’t faced them for the best part of 20 years.

Also wanted to avoid a trip to Russia again but looks like we will be heading over there again.

Barcelona probably the toughest side in Pot 1 so it will be real test of character for all 3 teams in Group G to try and grind some kind of results, specially at home.

MICHAELSLB
I personally think this is a tough group, open for any of the four teams. I was definitely hoping for an easier group but champions league is champions league.

2) How do you feel about getting Celtic from pot 4?

MDOT

On a personal level, I live in Toronto and got to see the two go at it a couple of season back in a friendly which had us winning 3-1. Also haven`t been back to Portugal in some time and it looks like my next trip is going to land right when we face off in Lisbon and I`m looking to get tickets for that one.

On a club level (no offense) but your league is in a mess at the moment without Rangers. I personally think Celtic do not have quality competition to keep your team sharp. I would think you guys should be well rested for our match but lack of proper competition can make players rusty and make the team weaker over the long term.

PORTUCALE
Again our path is crossing, maybe this time we can get separated as 3 wins, 3 loses and 7 GF;7GA is becoming ludicrous. In a more positive note I always enjoyed the Scottish teams in particular Celtic so I feel very happy to get Celtic, and bear in mind as I live in Edinburgh it is just a wee trip to Glasgow

FORCASLB29
I jumped up and down when we got you right away knowing that I wouldnt be stressing about Dortmund.

1904

Drawing Celtic has almost become a tradition, 3 times in 6 years if I am not mistaken and probably one of the toughest team in Pot 4 alongside Dortmund/Montpellier.

Mainly because Celtic are a very good team at home and we have never won a single point at Parkhead. Still, this will be my 3rd trip to Glasgow and looking forward for the game / atmosphere.

MICHAELSLB
At first I wasn’t too happy since Celtic is stronger than most sides in pot 4 but then again it could of been Dortmund!

3)Who is your star player and most likely to cause us concern?

MDOT
I would say Cardozo as he`s is a proven goal scorer but this season we have a crazy amount of quality mid-fielders that so far have been giving our opponents a very hard time such as Salvio, Martins, Nolito, and Bruno.

FORCASLB29
THe best player hands down for us last year in Champions league was Pablo Aimar. If he stays fresh, we use him for 65 minutes, there wasnt a player at Chelsea or Man U that came close to his class last year. He’s come of the bench in very game this year (3 games) and has 3 assists and played 17 minutes in total…maybe a bit more than 17 minutes, but you get my point.

1904
I would have to name more than just one player but on current form it would have to be the Argentine Salvio. He spent one season on loan with us from Atlético Madrid (2010-11) and won the heart of all Benfiquistas.

We signed him permanently this summer after he returned to Madrid and helped them win their second Europa League trophy. Before Diego Simone joined to manage Atlético Madrid he was mainly used as a sub and made it known publicly how much he wanted to return to Benfica.

During his loan with us he got injured in Eindhoven in the 2nd leg agaisnt PSV (Europa League quarters) and stronly believe we would have made the final in Dublin if had played the semi-final games against Braga (we lost 2-2 on aggregate).

MICHAELSLB
In terms of goals definitely Cardozo, his really clinical and good in the air. But Benfica has much more than 1 key player, another I would consider is Salvio… He will give any teams defence hell!!

4) Who do you think is Celtics star/best player?

MDOT
I don`t much about your players but I would think a guy like Scott Brown would be your key guy given the amount of time and experience he`s had at your club.

PORTUCALE
On my personal opinion I think the best players at Celtic at the moment are, Fraser Foster and Gary Hooper, however and following the league every week I know that Celtic is not only one or two players but the TEAM as they never stop believe… so any opponent need to be aware and on guard until the final whistle.

1904
Used to know a few players when we met twice before but imagine a lot has changed since and haven’t been keeping tabs on Scottish football to be honest. 

Recognise the likes of Scott Brown, Commons, Samaras and Anthony Stokes. But not enough to point a single individual.

MICHAELSLB
I used to know a good amount of Celtic players a few years back but I don’t follow the league anymore. I’ll have to say Brown and Hooper.

5) Will the sale of Garcia and Witsel hurt your team much?

MDOT
Long term we`re fine given our depth and quality but short term it will take some adjustment. Having just lost them and this away game being our first without them, you guys will be facing us at the weakest we`ll likely be in the group stage when it comes to our defensive mid-field but we have a bigger issue of not having enough spots for several of our offensive mid-fielders.

MICHAELSLB
I used to know a good amount of Celtic players a few years back but I don’t follow the league anymore. I’ll have to say Brown and Hooper.

1904
Definitely. Two players sold in an area where we were already thin. We have lots of attacking midfielders but Witsel and Javi were our core in centre midfield. Selling them on deadline day (Javi) and after (Witsel) gave us no chance to sign a player of near equal quality and will have to wait until January if indeed signing a new player is on the cards.

Matic (former Chelsea player) hardly had any pre-season at all due to injury so we will need him to be at his best from the word go. Other players that could fill in that MC position will be Carlos Martins and maybe Aimar, though both can be injury prone.

6) I have read that some Benfica fans are not entirely happy with the club because they feel it is being run like a business. Is this true?

MDOT
Yes and no. Fans hate losing players like David Luiz, Di Maria, Fabio, Witsel, Ramires because of the business side of the game (buy a player for 7million flip them 1-2yrs later for 20 to 40million). At the same time fans understand you can`t compare with clubs that are willing to pay salaries over three times the average. Overall our club was a European powerhouse for generations, we had some financial issues in the 90’s and the past few years it`s all been about rebuilding to get back to that stage. While it is business, each year we are getting back up there our past few years of European games is showing it. 

PORTUCALE
Like any other fan off course what we want first and foremost is titles and recognition, however we also need to be aware of finances, and although I regret to see some good players leave it has been a good business for benfica in the recent past years

1904
It’s being run by a dictator who thinks the club is his. Well, that’s a bit exagerated but our current president is more of a business man then football man. I can understand that he is trying to do his job as best as possible by concentrating but the coming elections in October will determine his fate. He has bolstered the marketing side of the club a lot since starting his tenure back in 2003 but not many titles to his name, which is the main objective for the fans.

You are right to say that not many are happy with him.

MICHAELSLB
You could say at times it is but it is really necessary in terms of finance . We have sold many key players over the last two years but our team still stays strong nonetheless. We still go far in Europe each season and I think we are getting stronger season by season!

7) How do you predict the group will finish? first, second, third, fourth

MDOT
I would like to think we will pull off what we did last year and surpass peoples expectations by topping the group. Benfica, Barca, Spartak, and Celtic.

PORTUCALE
Very trick question because my first instinct would be Benfica and Celtic, no I am not crazy, just see last season in the group of Benfica, Man U, never went through, but realistically I have to admit that and in accodance of the facts Barcelona and one from Benfica and Celtic

1904
Don’t like predicting scores, standings, results, etc as anything can happen in football and I try not to keep high expectations. 

We managed to finish top last season but even that was surprising given we drew to second placed Manchester United in the first game and drew at home to Basel in what should have been a comfortable victory given the chances we had. Scraped 1-0 wins vs Otelul Galati and a good win away to Basel, with the rest finishing on level.

But for the sake of it, Barcelona will probably top the group with the rest fighting for second.

MICHAELSLB

Well since I dislike Barca I would want them to finish last and I’m hoping Benfica will finish first and Spartak second. Celtic 3rd… I’m only hoping for this to happen, I wouldn’t call this predictions.

8) Who will win the Celtic – Benfica game on 19th?

MDOT
Expectations is for us to win this game, however I expect it to be close and it could always land us a draw since we will be playing around with a new formation to deal with the loss of Witsel and Javi. It also all depends what type of club you guys are, if you are primarily defensive, then we could have some issues getting the win, but if you guys are typically trying to attack and open up, that will play more into our free flowing game.

PORTUCALE
I would be happy with 1 point but I know that is going to be very difficult, last time I was at Parkhead we lost 3-0 again… I just hope that the game is clean and the team produce a good spectacle.

1904
As I am writing this just seen the news that Samaras has picked up a quite serious injury for Greece? Unlucky!

I will randomly go for a scored draw as I really want us come away with at least a single point, that’s my hope anyway.

MICHAELSLB
It is difficult to say since playing at Celtics home patch is never easy. I would prefer not to predict a score for this game and hope my team for the best.

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