Benfica know Champions qualifier rivals if they finish second | OneFootball

The title won by Slavia Prague also ended up affecting the European calculations of Benfica and Sporting. The Czech side secured direct qualification for the UEFA Champions League league phase, thus ensuring a second consecutive appearance among Europe’s elite.

The Czech club will begin in the third qualifying round, precisely the same stage at which the runners-up in the Portuguese league may enter. In this way, the Lions or the Eagles - who are currently in third - already know that Sparta could appear on the European horizon, in a scenario that still depends on the final standings in the domestic league and also on the outcome of the Europa League.

There is, however, a possibility that the Portuguese runners-up could avoid that more complicated path. If Aston Villa win the Europa League and also finish in the Premier League top four, the second-placed team in the Portuguese league will move directly into the Champions League league phase.

For now, Benfica and Sporting already know part of the pool of possible opponents. Besides Sparta Prague, Fenerbahçe and Bodø/Glimt also appear, although the Norwegians can only meet the Portuguese side in the play-off. The representatives of several European leagues are still to be decided, including France, Belgium, Scotland, the Netherlands, Greece, Austria and Poland, where Lech Poznań have already secured at least second place.

The club in red will return to action next Saturday, 16 May, against Estoril. The match, corresponding to the 34th and final round of the Portuguese league, against the side managed by Ian Cathro, will be played at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota at 8:30 pm.

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