8-times winners of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL), Lyon, will be looking to seal their place in the semi-final of this season’s competition by seeing out Benfica on Wednesday when they welcome the Portuguese giants to the Stade Gérard Houllier.
Last season’s quarter-finalists will be hoping to build on their 2-1 away win from the first leg of their quarter-final tie against Benfica last week when they face a Benfica side that has shown it’s not afraid to express itself against even the current holders of the competition, Barcelona Femenino.
Lyon Can Smell the UWCL Trophy is Close
The all-time winners of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) can already smell the 2023/2024 trophy in the air and they will not be interested in losing that scent, especially after they have had a sniff with that first leg win over their opponents.
As it stands, Lyon have one foot in the semi-finals, and having had their path to the final already determined, they would know if they manage to get the job done against the Portuguese, their opponents in the semis will be their French counterparts, PSG.
That would likely motivate them a lot given just how much of an edge they have had over PSG in their previous meetings and also the bonus benefit of knowing they will not be facing the defending champions, Barcelona Femenino, in the semis.
Lyon, 7-0 winners of their last game in the French league over Lille, will be zooming their focus on that trophy and hope they can get the chance to extend their dominance over the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Benfica Has Proven They Are Not Shy
Benfica, leaders in the Portuguese Women’s League and regulars in the UEFA Women’s Champions League for at least the past three seasons, have proven in this season’s competition that they can be bold.
That was the statement they made when they went toe to toe with Barcelona, the defending champions of the competition in their last group game, playing out an entertaining 4-4 draw with the two-time winners.
A result that ensured Benfica made history in Europe this season by becoming the first Portuguese team ever to reach the quarter-final stage of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The Portuguese champions will now head on their travels, where they have put together an 11-game unbeaten away run since losing 5-0 to Barcelona in November in the group stages, and their recent 4-1 league victory over Braga should boost their confidence ahead of the Lyon encounter.
Match Stats
Lyon hasn't lost in 32 matches and is unbeaten in 15 home games while Benfica is on an 11-game unbeaten away run since losing 5-0 to Barcelona in November 2023.
Lyon (W) have won the previous 3 matches against SL Benfica (W) beating them 5-0 twice, one at home and the other away, and 2-1 recently.
SL Benfica (W) have a good record of 5 undefeated games in their last 6 encounters in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
There have been over 2.5 goals in 4 of Lyon’s last 5 games in all competitions while Benfica has seen over 2.5 goals in 3 of their last 5 games in all competitions.
You can check out the Lyon vs Benfica UWCL game on MSport here
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