Breaking! Benfica know their first Europa League opponents | OneFootball

Benfica learned this week who their opponent will be in the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa League, with the draw pairing them against St. Gallen 1879, the Swiss club that will be the Eagles’ first obstacle on their European journey this new season. The Reds thus begin their participation in the competition with an away test, in a setting that demands maximum concentration and a high competitive tempo from the outset.

The first leg of the tie will be played in Switzerland, with Benfica travelling to St. Gallen’s ground for the opening match. It is a traditionally intense environment, where home teams usually show strong competitive aggression and a well-organized block, which could force the Eagles into a cautious start to the tie.

The decider, meanwhile, is reserved for the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, where Benfica will count on the support of their fans to seal the tie in front of their own crowd. This scenario is internally seen as a significant advantage, especially at such an early stage of the season, when home advantage can carry decisive weight in managing the two matches.

Although they are not a top-tier European opponent, St. Gallen 1879 reach this stage after a consistent campaign in their domestic league, finishing in second place. Even so, Benfica naturally go into the clash as favorites, not only because of the difference in individual quality, but also because of their accumulated experience in European competitions.

With the draw now set, the Reds are fully focused on preparing for the tie, which marks the official start of their European campaign. The objective is clear: get past St. Gallen and secure a place in the 3rd qualifying round of the Europa League, keeping alive the ambition of reaching the later stages of the competition.

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