Red Star have scored in every home game since October 2023
Red Star failed to win any of their home Champions League games last season
Benfica are unbeaten in their last four matches
Lage to kick on from perfect start
Red Star produced a comeback 2-0 in their second leg of their previous tie to qualify for this round, having lost 2-1 to Bode/Glimt in the first leg. They will have their work cut out here, coming up against an in-form Benfica side who put four away in their league match on the weekend, in what was Bruno Lange’s first game in charge. Veteran Angel Di Maria got on the scoresheet, and he is bound to play a part in this tie, having been a big part in their Europa League campaign last year, bagging four goals and two assists. 2016 golden boy Renanto Sanches has re-joined the club on loan, plus they’ve also signed Kerem Akturkoglu from Galatasaray, he was heavily involved in their Champions League campaign last season. The quality Benfica have on offer here should be too much for Red Star, and can kick off their Champions League campaign with an away win.
Benfica aren’t short of attacking talent, and should be able to get a couple of goals in this match. Red Star have an outstanding record at home though, you’ve got to go all the way back to October 2023 to find the last time they did not score in a competitive home match; they even put two past Man City, so we can expect Red Star to get on the score sheet. A 2-1 win for Benfica looks a good correct score bet