Fenerbahçe welcome Portuguese giants Benfica to the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium for their UEFA Champions League playoff clash, Softfootball reports.
Jose Mourinho is set to unleash new signing Jhon Duran and Brazilian Fred as they aim to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time since 2008-09.
For Benfica, it’s a little different as they are looking to secure a fifth consecutive appearance in the competition. They are overwhelming favourites for this encounter.
Fenerbahçe are excited about this home fixture and share the game information on their official X handle.
🏆 #UCL Play Off İlk Maç
🆚 Benfica
🗓 20 Ağustos Çarşamba
🇹🇷 22.00
🇪🇺 21.00
🏟️ Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Spor Kompleksi
📺 TRT 1
📲 #FBvSLB#MaçVarsaÜlkerVar | @Ulker pic.twitter.com/4Y2WxG5pea— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) August 19, 2025
After losing the Turkey League title to Galatasaray last season, Fenerbahce entered the Champions League qualifiers in the third round. They survived Dutch side Feyenoord 6-4 on aggregate after losing 2-1 in the first leg before responding emphatically at home with a 5-2 victory.
Benfica offers a different challenge as experienced campaigners in the competition, they reached the round of 16 last season. They head into the UCL playoff with three wins out of their last four meetings against Fenerbahce, including a 3-2 friendly defeat just last month.
In their last seven encounters, Fenerbahce have just one win while the Benfica are with four wins including two victories in Champions League matches.
For Squad news, Fenerbahce will be without defender Rodrigo Becao. He is recovery from a cruciate ligament injury and is expected back next month.
Jose Mourinho is likely to persist with his three-man defence, with Jhon Duran and Youssef En-Nesyri leading the attack while Fred stay tight and aggressive in midfield.
For Benfica, Bruma, Manu Silva, Alexander Bah and Tomas Araujo remain on the sidelined through injury.
Last season’s top scorer with 30 goals in all competitions, Vangelis Pavlidis is expected to lead the attack. He is in a confident mood after scoring twice already this season and should be partnered by summer signing Franjo Ivanovic.
