Benfica back in Europa League, but still can't catch two Portuguese clubs | OneFootball

Benfica are back in the Europa League and are preparing to face Milan this Wednesday in the 149th match of their history in the competition. The Eagles begin their league-phase campaign in Italy, at a stadium of enormous stature, but they are still some way behind the Portuguese club with the most matches played in the tournament.

According to official UEFA data, Benfica have played 149 matches in the Europa League, including games in the former UEFA Cup and its qualifying rounds. The tally does not include the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, the competition that preceded the UEFA Cup, as it was not organised by UEFA.

Despite that impressive number, Benfica are not the Portuguese club with the most matches in the competition. That status belongs to Sporting, who top the list with 203 matches. There is also another Portuguese club ahead of the Eagles in the ranking for matches played: Braga, with 175 games. Curiously, the Lions will not be able to add to their Europa League total this season, as they are competing in the Champions League.

Even if the Lions do not play any more matches in the competition, Benfica and the other clubs have no mathematical chance of overtaking the historic leaders this season. A team can play, at most, 17 more matches before the end of the competition. The two clubs that could have threatened first place are also currently in the Champions League: Inter Milan and Roma, which keeps Sporting isolated at the top of the all-time table.

Even so, the Lisbon club do not lead every statistical category in the competition. When it comes to wins, Roma stand out; for draws, Rangers; for defeats, Rapid Vienna; for goals scored, Tottenham; and for goals conceded, Club Brugge. Now, Marco Silva's side are looking to begin their European campaign in the best possible way, with a trip to San Siro to take on Milan.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.