Today at 2:45 p.m. ET Benfica will make its final bid for the knockout stage when they host Paris Saint-Germain, the top team in Group C in UEFA Champions League action that can be live streamed by clicking this link.
Group C play ends today, with Benfica tied with Olympiakos for second place in the group. Benfica coach Jorge Jesus acknowledged the importance of the Greek side's results, but also said the team's focus is on PSG. "We are only thinking about PSG," Jesus said. "We have to be aware of what is going on in Greece because we are dependent on others."
In this case Benfica's drawn the short end of the stick, taking on an elite side with a plus-12 goal differential while Olympiakos squares off with winless Anderlecht. "It will not be easy for Anderlecht to complicate things for Olympiacos, but football is unpredictable and we have to hope," Jesus said.
If both teams win and are still even in points, Olympiakos will be the side that advances to the next stage. "Our performance in Greece was impressive, this loss could prove decisive but we deserved at least a draw. The game in Greece, Benfica should have more points," said Jesus.
One thing working in Benfica's favor is PSG coach Laurent Blanc's decision to rest most of his regulars, due to advancement being assured, as well as first place in the group. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, midfielder Marco Verratti and defenders Alex, Thiago Silva and Gregory van der Wiel will all sit out this match.
Defender Christophe Jallet said PSG is here to win, though, despite the absence of its stars. "We are not just here to visit Lisbon," he said. "We are here to win another match in the competition. We want to shine in the Champions League. The players who play on Tuesday evening will have the chance to show they deserve a place in the team."
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