Champions League: Benfica-Real Sociedad X-ray

At 8 pm on Tuesday, October 24, Benfica hosts Real Sociedad, on matchday 3 of the Champions League Group D. Depending on themselves to qualify for the last 16, the Reds are counting on the fervent atmosphere at the Estádio da Luz pick up three points and move closer to the top. 

Back on the international stage, the Eagles have their superlative form in the Liga Betclic as an example to follow. With a run of  seven consecutive wins (one of the best in European football), Roger Schmidt's side are back in Group D with confidence high and determined to fly high in Europe's biggest showcase.

Far from matching the Glorioso's numbers in the Portuguese league, Real Sociedad has put together their best run in La Liga with three wins between matchdays 6 and 8, and currently occupy 5th place in the competition with five wins, three draws and two defeats.

In their last match, the txuri-urdin played in 4x4x2 – with Remiro, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Pacheco, Aihen Muñoz, Brais Mendéz, Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Zakharyan, Oyarzabal and Carlos Fernández –, in a 1-0 win over Mallorca on matchday 10 of La Liga.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CAMPAIGN IN NUMBERS

With two games already played in Group D, Benfica, in search of goals, has more attacks (95-83) and more shots on goal (10-9) than Real Sociedad, records that gain even more relevance considering that in their opening game, against FC Salzburg, the eagles played outnumbered for more than 77 minutes.