Benfica second leg - facts and stats

Here’s a few relevant facts and stats ahead of tonight’s Europa League round of 16 second leg against Portuguese giants Benfica at Estadio da Luz...

Last time out – Benfica won 4-2 away to Nacional in the Portuguese top flight on Monday.

At the summit – Their latest win leaves Benfica perched at the top of the Portuguese league table with 58 points, seven points clear of second placed Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Tight ship – The two goals Benfica conceded on Monday means they have only conceded three league goals in their last nine league games.

Three-sy does it – Benfica have only conceded three goals twice this season, in a 3-0 away Champions League loss at PSG and in a 4-3 home domestic cup win against Sporting.

Solid at home - The last time Benfica conceded three goals at home and lost was in a 3-2 league defeat against Porto in March, 2012.

Prolific - Benfica have scored in all 19 home matches in all competitions this season.

Origins – SL Benfica was founded on February 28, 1904, as Sport Lisboa.

Base – Benfica play their home games at Estadio da Luz. The stadium was opened in October, 2003, having replaced the old structure of the same name.

Forthcoming event – Benfica’s Estadio da Luz is set to host the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League final.

In the dugout – Benfica’s manager is Jorge Jesus, the 59-year-old former Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder.

Familiar foe – Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen will be familiar with Benfica’s Miralem Sulejmani, having both played for Ajax at the same time as the winger.

A Real connection – Emmanuel Adebayor briefly crossed paths with Benfica’s Ezequiel Garay back in 2011. They both played for Real Madrid at that time, Ade being on loan from Manchester City.

On the road – Benfica have lost just two of their last 29 away league games in Portugal. Their last away domestic reverse was in April, 2012.

Goal difference – Benfica have scored 44 league goals so far in 2013-14, conceding only 15 – that’s fewer goals conceded than any other side in their division.

Long time coming – We last faced Benfica in a competitive European match in 1962. We lost 3-1 at Benfica in the first leg of our European Cup semi-final, before winning the return 2-1. We consequently lost 4-3 on aggregate.

Champions League beginnings – Benfica were knocked out of this season’s Champions League after finishing third in their group behind Olympiacos and Paris Saint-Germain. They were level on 10 points with Olympiacos in second spot. They consequently entered the Europa League in the round of 32.

Record-equalling – Benfica’s 3-0 home win in the second leg of their round of 32 tie against PAOK last month saw them equal Atletico Madrid’s Europa League record of 10 consecutive home wins in the competition.

Final heartbreak – Benfica lost to Chelsea in last season’s Europa League final.