Benfica’s director of international relations, Simão Sabrosa, said on Monday that the Reds know Club Brugge well, opponent in the round of 16 of the Champions League in football, and warned about the current campaign of the Belgians in the competition .
“We know Club Brugge well. They were Belgian champions last year and we have all seen their campaign in this group stage.”began by saying the former footballer, in statements to the club’s BTV channel, after the draw, held in Nyon, Switzerland.
Club Brugge qualified for the first time in the round of 16 of the competition, surprisingly finishing second in Group B, behind FC Porto, but ahead of Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen and Spain’s Atlético de Madrid.
“The objective is to arrive in February and play the first game against Club Brugge away, and then play in our stadium, where we are very strong and, with the support of our fans, we will be able to overcome this rival, respecting the maximum and maintaining the values that we have shown throughout this season”Simon said.
The tie will only be played in February and March, after an unprecedented interruption to play the World Cup, in the middle of the football season, which “will be a challenge for Benfica and for all the teams present at this stage” of the tournament.
“It will be something new, but the Benfica football structure is certainly dealing with the matter in a professional manner, so that we can reach February at the highest level.”said.
Simão Sabrosa appealed to the incarnate fans during the draw: “Benfica always has support, wherever they play, it’s impressive. We cultivate it and make it happen. We want to go to Belgium in February, fight for a good result, and then play in our fully packed stadium. Benfica always has support, at home and away, and we believe that it will be so”.
The clash between Benfica and Club Bruges also marks the reunion with the Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk, recruited by the Belgians in the current season’s transfer ‘market’, but Simão devalued: “It’s always good to see the players who played for Benfica again, but both we and Román want to move on”.
The first duel between Bruges and Benfica -who won Group H, seconded by Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus-, will be played in Belgium, on February 14, 15, 21 or 22, 2023, while the The second will be held in Lisbon, on March 7, 08, 14 or 15.
Source: TSF
