EL: Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Benfica v Newcastle Utd
By Tyne-Talk April 3 2013
Newcastle United face Benfica tomorrow evening as the Europa League kicks off the quarter finals. The Portuguese side have won their last six games, scored twenty goals and conceded just four. Newcastle travel on the back of two wins, three defeats and a draw from their last six games, having scored four goals and conceded eight.
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew could name Tim Krul and Davide Santon in the side after they both recovered from their respective injuries. Cheik Tiote (hamstring) and Massadio Haidara (knee) are both out, as are Fabricio Coloccini (back) and Hatem Ben Arfa (hamstring), whilst are Yoan Gouffran and Mathieu Debuchy who are both ineligible.
Newcastle, despite travelling to Manchester at the weekend, failed to put in a performance of any kind and lost 4-0. Regardless, Pardew is confident that his team will deliver a much improved performance against Benfica.
He said;
“Their stadium is going to be rocking on Thursday night - and after our result they will be looking forward to us coming - but cwe will certainly be better than we were on Saturday.
We'll have played two of the best teams in Europe, I think, in Manchester City and Benfica this week.''
He added;
"This is a great test for us, against a big club like Benfica. Their players are confident and we know it will be difficult for us.
I believe we will need to present ourselves in a better way than we did against Manchester City. We can beat them at St. James Park, but for that, we will need to take home a positive result on Thursday."
Whilst Jorge Jesus, Benfica manager said;
"The fact they are in 15th place in England doesn't mean a thing.
They have played 12 matches in the UEFA Europa League and lost just once. Their squad is full of internationals. It will be an even tie that won't be decided in the first game."
EL: Match Preview/Stats/Thread: Benfica v Newcastle Utd
Posted by: TyneTalk (IP Logged)
Date: 03/04/2013 21:33
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Yanga Mbiwa messed up for the first goal
Santon messed up for the second goal
Could Taylor have got his arm out of the way for the penalty or should sissoko have cleared the ball instead of ducking under it?
Benfica couldn't cope when Marv ran at them and he was defending well, the problem is he drifts in and out of matches too much.
Its going to be tough getting through to the semi's now
It's a big ask but strange things happen in these games. The away goal is a bonus but they will be good on the counter attack at SJP. I say go for it if we get beat by doing that then so be it.
3 points on Sunday please I am going to the match staying for the weekend. My mate and his 2 sons are Fulham supporters so hopefully they will enjoy the weekend apart from the game.
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