In Nyon, Switzerland, the draw for the third qualifying round of the Champions League took place, according to the results of which it was determined that Moscow Spartak will meet with Benfica.
The first match will take place at the Otkritie Arena on August 3 or 4, the return match on August 10 in Lisbon.
The winner will advance to the Champions League knockout round.
The history of the confrontation between the two teams can hardly be called rich.
They have met only twice in European competition - in the group stage of the 2012/13 Champions League.
Then the Muscovites won a home victory with a score of 2: 1, but lost away (0: 2) and failed to reach the playoffs.
A positive moment for Spartak may be the fact that the new head coach of the red-and-white Rui Vitoria is well acquainted with one of the most titled clubs in Portugal.
He headed Benfica from 2015 to 2019 and made a significant contribution to expanding the list of its regalia.
In the first season, at the head of the Eagles, the specialist won the Portuguese championship, beating Sporting in the championship race.
At the same time, the Lisbonians managed to reach the Champions League quarterfinals.
The following season, the team again won the gold of the national championship, and also became the owner of the Portuguese Cup.
In addition, Vitoria led her to victory in the Portuguese League Cup and twice in the country's Super Cup.
So the coach knows firsthand what the Lisbonians are capable of.
“Of course, Benfica and I are very familiar.
A difficult but interesting confrontation awaits us.
The draw determined the most difficult opponent possible for us.
But we have a goal, and we will fight for it for all 180 minutes.
And if need be, more.
However, right now we are focused on making a good start in the Russian championship, ”the press service of“ Spartak ”quotes Vitoria.
For the specialist, the confrontation with the former team will be fundamental also because there is a long-standing enmity between him and the current head coach of Benfica.
In 2015, Vitoria replaced Jorge Jesus on the coaching bridge, who then spoke very unflatteringly about his successor.
In particular, Jesus stated that the championship of the Eagles of the 2015/16 season is his merit, since it was he who had been building this team for several years.
Rui retorted that he was not interested in his opponent's opinion.
Commenting on the results of the draw, the owner of "Spartak" Leonid Fedun also noted that the team got an extremely difficult opponent, historically one of the strongest clubs in Europe.
“But I am sure Rui Vitoria is ready for such a challenge.
It will be an interesting confrontation for everyone, including because of the long-standing rivalry of the coaches.
The result is unpredictable, but we will do our best to show our best football ", - quotes Fedun" Sport-Express ".
Experts' predictions about the outcome of the confrontation were divided.
Some expressed confidence that the red and white will beat the opponent, while others were not so optimistic.
“The draw for Spartak is good, I would like to be weaker, of course, but not bad either.
Benfica is a team that can be passed, and Spartak will pass it.
Moreover, Vitoria worked for Benfica, and this will be a definite advantage for our team, "- quotes the former goalkeeper Rinat Dasaev of the Championship.
His colleague on the line, Anzor Kavazashvili, also positively perceived the results of the draw.
According to him, Vitoria is well acquainted with Benfica's game, so he will be able to properly prepare his players.
“Now he needs not to fall face down in the mud and prove that he is not just a coach, but a specialist who knows his business.
I am sure Vitoria will try to do everything to beat Benfica and move on.
My mood is definitely positive, ”added Kavazashvili.
On the eve of "Spartak" became the triumphant of the pre-season tournament Parimatch Premier Cup.
Muscovites won confident victories over Sochi (4: 0), Rubin (4: 0) and Khimki (5: 1) and won the first trophy under the leadership of Vitoria.
According to the former midfielder Alexander Mostovoy, the team performed well before the start of the season, but it is too early to say whether it will demonstrate the same successful performance in the Champions League.
“Some kind of mysticism, Vitoria just came - and right there against his former team.
Benfica is almost dear to us.
How many times have they played against Zenit, now here is Spartak.
I will estimate the chances 50 to 50. Plus, let's not forget that we will most likely let spectators in, but whether they will be in Lisbon is a big question.
Anyway, Benfica is good, ”Mostova told the Championship.
Andrei Kanchelskis agreed with his opinion.
He suggested that Vitoria would be nervous before an important meeting, so everything possible should be done so that his excitement would not be passed on to the players.
“Spartak was very good in friendly matches.
He showed fast attacking football.
It's very important not to slow down and start the season in the same spirit.
Benfica are a very solid team, playing in European competition every year.
I think the chances at the beginning of the season are absolutely equal.
Rui Vitoria knows Portuguese football very well, it can help Spartak, - quotes the words of Kanchelskis "Sport Express".
Former Muscovites mentor Raul Riancho also suggested that both teams will have an equal chance of success.
Benfica is going through hard times, and Spartak is rebuilding with a new coach.
But in the Champions League there are no easy opponents, so I think Spartak was ready for such an outcome.
It's too early to guess how far Muscovites will be able to go in the Champions League.
Everything will depend on the match with Benfica, so the team needs to prepare responsibly and show a good game, ”Sport24 quotes Riancho.
The former head coach of the red and white and the Russian national team, Georgy Yartsev, emphasized that the most important thing for Spartak is not to lose the players due to injuries.
“At the moment, we need not to get injured, to maintain morale and effective play by the start of the qualifying matches.
How can Spartak beat Benfica?
Due to attacking actions, it is important to include those who have returned to the collection in the drawing of the game, to choose tactics for victory.
There is a hope that we will pass Benfica, we have highly qualified players and a coach, we all hope that Spartak will get into the group stage of the Champions League, where we will root for him, ”Yartsev told TASS.
In turn, Sergei Juran, who played for both Spartak and Benfica, on the contrary, did not agree with the opinion that Vitoria's previous experience would be an advantage for the red and white.
“Yes, he knows the strengths and weaknesses of the local players, but the players change and the foreigners there are also quite serious.
There are requirements, there are other tactical schemes.
It is a mistake to think that Vitoria knows the club, the work in it and how to beat it, ”summed up Juran.
Also on Monday, 19 July, the draw for the new European tournament, the UEFA Conference League, took place.
In the third qualifying round, Rubin will face the winner of the confrontation between the Lithuanian Suuwa and the Polish Rakuv.
And "Sochi" in the second round of qualification will have to fight with the Azerbaijani "Keshley", after which the club can get on the Serbian "Partizan" or the Slovak "DAK 1904".