Benfica host Celtic on 15 October as Marco Silva admits squad rotation

Benfica look to build on a winning start

Benfica host Celtic at the Estádio da Luz on Thursday, 15 October, with kick-off at 20:00, in the second matchday of the Europa League league phase. The hosts opened the competition with a 2-0 win at AC Milan, and Marco Silva wants his team to keep that momentum going. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Seixal, the Benfica coach said every point matters at this stage.

All three points are fundamental for us. It is for this that we work every day.

Silva argued that a club's size does not make it favourite for the next match, since several larger European clubs are more used to the Champions League. He said his side has to prove itself game by game. Benfica still have a long way to go in the league phase, according to the coach, before their ambitions can be judged.

Rotation and the line-up

Silva made nine changes to the starting line-up against Milan, compared with the previous game, and he has said he will make some rotation again. He has not said how many changes he will make or in which positions. He did confirm that Trubin will start in goal, taking over from Samuel Soares, who has been the league first choice. Readers of A BOLA voted for a line-up with five changes from the win over Vitória de Guimarães, and Circati was among the most voted players but missed out, having received fewer votes than Lenglet and Tomás Araújo. Silva said early qualification for the round of 16 would be important, so he can manage the squad during the busy months of January and February.

Celtic's approach and Lisbon history

Martin O'Neill, 74, said Benfica have a lot of confidence after their opening win in Milan and called them one of the favourites to win the competition. The Celtic manager said his side also has very good players and wants to cause problems at the Luz. O'Neill pointed to Silva's earlier spell in English football, at Hull City, Watford, Everton and Fulham, as evidence of the coach's standing. Celtic's visit follows Hearts' 6-1 defeat at the Luz in August, in the third pre-qualifying round, and O'Neill said he could not take much from that game. Celtic return to Lisbon, where they won the European Cup in 1966/67 at the Estádio Nacional in Jamor.

Goalkeeping, team news and the referee

Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo answered a question from Bola na Rede about playing out against Benfica's high press, saying a goalkeeper must handle pressure and find solutions inside or over it. O'Neill said winger Camilo Durán is absent with a muscle problem and may travel later if all goes well. Durán, a 24-year-old Colombian, has played all 13 matches and leads Celtic with seven goals and three assists. He came through the Azores lower leagues with SC Lusitânia, then played in Portugal's Campeonato de Portugal, Liga 3 and Segunda Liga, and has never played in the Primeira Liga. Montenegrin referee Nikola Dabanovic will take charge of the match.