Champions League line-ups: Juventus vs. Benfica | OneFootball

Juventus rely on Kenan Yildiz and Jonathan David as they host Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League to lock down a play-off spot.

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta-Athletic Club on the Liveblog.

PISA, ITALY – DECEMBER 27: Head coach Luciano Spalletti manager of Juventus FC looks on during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Juventus FC at Arena Garibaldi on December 27, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The Bianconeri had a dismal start to the Champions League, managing just three draws in the opening four rounds, but have revitalised their fortunes with victories over Bodo/Glimt and Pafos.

The mood was shaken somewhat by a weekend 1-0 Serie A loss to Cagliari, only the second competitive defeat since Luciano Spalletti took over.

Daniele Rugani, Dusan Vlahovic and Jonas Rouhi are still out of action, so David is again chosen to lead the attack rather than Lois Openda.

There is support from Kenan Yildiz, Fabio Miretti and Weston McKennie, while Khephren Thuram and goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio return after being rested.

SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: Jonathan David of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Benfica have only six points from as many Champions League games this season, and brought coach Mourinho back in mid-September.

Similarly, they had a disastrous start with four opening defeats, but back-to-back 2-0 victories over Ajax and Napoli gave them hope.

However, 2026 did not start on the right foot for Mou, crashing out of the Taca de Portugal and the Allianz Cup.

Dodi Lukebaio, Alexander Bah and Richard Rios are long-term injuries, joined by Joao Veloso, Samuel Soares, Joshua Wynder and Nuno Felix for this trip.

Vangelis Pavlidis leads the way, with support from impressive young talents Georgiy Sudakov and Andreas Schjelderup, while former Juventus midfielder Enzo Barrenechea is on loan from Aston Villa.

LISBON, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 05: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SL Benfica and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at on November 05, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)

Juventus vs. Benfica line-ups

Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; McKennie, Locatelli; McKennie, Miretti; Yildiz; David

Juventus bench: Perin, Pinsoglio, Gatti, Francisco Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Zhegrova, Adzic, Kostic, Openda, Joao Mario, Cabal, Rouhi

Benfica: Trubin; Dedic, Otamendi, Tomas Araujo, Dahl; Barreiro, Aursnes; Prestianni, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis

Benfica bench: Diogo Ferreira, Antonio Silva, Barrenechea, Bruma, Ivanovic, Manu Silva, Daniel Banjaqui, Jose Neto, Goncalo Oliveira, Rodrigo Rego, Joao Rego, Diogo Prioste

Ref: Gozubuyuk (NED)

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