League Cup: victory grants qualification to the quarterfinals

Benfica returns to compete officially against Moreirense, this Saturday, December 17, at 7 pm, at the Estádio Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, in a game from matchday of the 3rd round of group C of the League Cup that will define the team that goes to the quarterfinals of the competition.

With the same point tally in group C, as the result of two wins in the games the two teams played against Estrela da Amadora and Penafiel, leave the greater number of goals scored as the tiebreaker to find out who will finish in first place, as Benfica and Moreirense have a difference of three goals between goals scored and conceded, with the "minhotos" tallying six goals scored, against the eagles' five.

Now, in face of this, Benfica is only interested in winning against the team that tops the Liga 2, which lost only two games this season, among the 18 played, precisely against Benfica B, at Benfica Campus (2-1), and Braga (2-1), away from home, in the Portuguese Cup.

Benfica, who still hasn't lost in 2022/23 – a feat shared with Paris Saint Germain –, will play the 28th match in all competition, having two victories in the League Cup, against Estrela da Amadora (2-3) and Penafiel (2-0).

In the two matches against emblems of the Liga 2, Benfica, in offensive terms, according to data from the Wyscout platform, made an average of 20.5 shots per game, 51.2% were on target, 24 crosses, 43.8% completed, and won 89 offensive duels, 38.2% of the contested ones. Moreirense, in the same parameters, had an average of 12.5 shots, 52% on target, 14.5 crosses, 41.4% accurate, 71.5 offensive duels won, 48.3% of the duels. In possession, Benfica had 67.6%, while Moreirense had 53.44%.

Defensively, Benfica allowed 10 shots per game, 35% on target, made 36.5 intersections, 7.5 clearances, and 13.5 fouls. Moreirense allowed 7.5 shots per game, 62.8% on target, managed 39.5 intersections, 18.5 clearances and the same 13.5 fouls. Benfica and Moreirense also show a remarkable level in the number of passes and their success, 723.5 per game and 90% success rate, while the "Cónegos" made 405 passes and a 77.1% success rate.

The winner of group C will host the winner of group G in the quarterfinals of the competition, a match that will be played on Thursday, December 22, at 8:15 pm.