A vibrant night awaits in Lisbon as Benfica prepare to face Bayer Leverkusen at the Estádio da Luz on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, in what could be a decisive Champions League group stage encounter. The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 local time, and the atmosphere around the Portuguese capital is already charged with anticipation. Both teams enter this clash needing a win to keep their knockout hopes alive, and the stage is set for an intense European evening under the floodlights.
Benfica approach the match with several concerns in their lineup. Defender Alexander Bah remains sidelined through injury, while winger Bruma and centre-back Manu Silva are also ruled out, forcing José Mourinho to make tactical adjustments to his defensive structure. Midfielder Florentino Luís is expected to return to the bench after missing the previous game, giving the home side more options in the middle of the park. On the other side, Bayer Leverkusen will travel without Robert Andrich, who is suspended after a red card in their last group outing. Malik Tillman is doubtful due to a minor strain, while Patrik Schick could start from the bench as he continues to recover full match fitness.
From a tactical standpoint, Benfica are likely to maintain their compact 4-2-3-1 system, prioritizing defensive stability and quick counterattacks through the wings. Mourinho has emphasized discipline and structure in training, aiming to close central spaces and hit Leverkusen on transitions. Leverkusen, under Kasper Hjulmand, are expected to play with a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation, relying heavily on their wing-backs to stretch play and create numerical advantages in the final third. The battle between Leverkusen’s attacking width and Benfica’s low block could define the flow of the match, with both sides aware that a single lapse in positioning could prove costly.
In the media build-up, Portuguese newspapers have framed this game as a turning point for Mourinho’s Benfica, urging the team to deliver a statement performance after a slow European start. Journalists in Germany, meanwhile, have been critical of Leverkusen’s inconsistency away from home, pointing out their struggles to convert possession into goals in recent matches. Several commentators have also highlighted Mourinho’s tactical mastery in high-stakes European nights, suggesting that his experience could be the difference if the match becomes a tactical stalemate.
Studio analysts across Europe have taken a measured approach, predicting a tightly contested encounter with few clear-cut chances. Some believe Benfica’s home advantage could tilt the balance, while others point to Leverkusen’s creative midfield and pressing ability as potential game-changers. The consensus is that this will be a match defined by details — defensive concentration, tempo control, and clinical finishing. Many pundits expect a narrow scoreline, possibly decided by a single moment of brilliance or a set-piece, as both teams look to revive their European campaigns with a much-needed win.
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Watch and Download Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen full match replay and highlights, At Wednesday, November 05, 2025. The match played at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz), in Champions League, UEFA.
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