Lisbon (AFP)
Probably foreseeing a physical challenge in the midfield, the coach of Benfica Lisbon, Bruno Lage, decided to start the defensive midfielder Gedson Fernandes against an eleven from Olympique Lyonnais who records the return of Memphis Depay, Wednesday in the third day of the Champions League.
Portuguese international and little used this season because of an injury, Gedson Fernandes took the place of Pizzi, habitual master to play "Eagles" of Lisbon and also member of the Seleçao.
The fast forward Rafa Silva was also chosen in the starting lineup, he who has just returned from a groin injury, instead of Raul de Tomas, the Spaniard certainly paying his lack of efficiency in front of the goal since his arrival in Benfica this summer.
For his second Olympique Lyonnais coaching match, coach Rudi Garcia opted for Léo Dubois, who had returned from injury, to the right-back position in place of Kenny Tete. On the other flank, Youssouf Koné replaced Fernando Marçal, injured.
Victim of the passage in 4-4-2 and disappointing since the beginning of the season, Thiago Mendes was not aligned midfield unlike Lucas Tousart and Houssem Aouar.
On the front of the attack, the Dutch international Memphis Depay has returned to Moussa Dembélé after declaring forfeit for an alert thigh against Dijon in the league.
The teams:
Benfica Lisbon: Vlachodimos - Tomas Tavares, Ruben Dias, Ferro, Grimaldo - Gabriel, Luis Florentino, Gedson Fernandes - Rafa Silva, Seferovic, Cervi.
Coach: Bruno Lage (POR)
Olympique Lyonnais: A. Lopes - Dubois, Denayer, Marcelo, Y. Kone - Cornet, Tousart, Aouar, Terrier - Mr. Dembele, Depay
Coach: Rudi Garcia (FRA)
Referee: Ivan Kruzliak (SVK)
© 2019 AFP