Champions League: Power ranking the 8 quarter-final teams
8. Benfica
Benfica are the bottom of this list. But that perhaps pays them a disservice. They are by no means a bad team. Rather, they are a good side on a list of great sides. The Portuguese club are the only team to represent their country at this stage in the tournament and have taken advantage of an easier draw so far this year. Now, however, they are in with the big boys and their quality will be tested to the limit.
Lead by striker Jonas alongside much maligned but underrated Konstantinos Mitroglou, Benfica’s squad has a nice blend of experience and quality, including a plethora of small, diminutive attacking midfielders. The best of these midfielders is Nicolas Gaitan who has long been linked with Manchester United. The Argentinian midfielder has fantastic vision, wonderful touch and technique, and is the center of much of the attacking talent in this side.
Benfica are a good side with some decent players. However, they do not possess the talent of the very best teams in the world. They do not have a Lionel Messi type talent, and can be exploited defensively. They are a good side, they’re just not good enough to rank any higher on our list.
Next: 7. Wolfsburg