Barca, Bayern, now Lyon? Benfica eye another UWCL shock
Benfica and Lucia Alves continue to defy expectations, eyeing another significant Champions League outcome against Lyon following their stunning victories over Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
The Portuguese standout has been experiencing a 'breakthrough' season and aims to maintain that momentum as her team competes in their inaugural UWCL quarter-final.
When Barcelona clashed with Benfica in late January, few believed the Portuguese side stood a chance. Barcelona had triumphed in all 22 of their matches that season, netting 105 goals and conceding just four times. Nevertheless, Benfica battled to a memorable 4-4 draw, narrowly saved for Barcelona by Lucy Bronze’s 96th-minute equalizer.
Reflecting on the match, Lucia Alves, a rising star for Benfica, expressed to GOAL, "It was one of the most remarkable games I've ever been a part of. Barcelona boasts players who are genuine icons, and the opportunity to compete against them is undeniably a huge motivator. Benfica showcased their identity and the caliber they possess. We poured our hearts onto the field and refused to surrender the match. It's widely understood that in football, nothing is impossible."
This sets the tone for the determination with which the Portuguese champions will approach their maiden UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final this week against another formidable opponent, Lyon. Once more cast as the underdogs, Benfica will confront the eight-time European champions, armed with players capable of troubling the French side, including the dynamic Kika, former Lyon standout Jessica Silva, and Alves, the assist maestro who has garnered attention from Women’s Super League clubs during what she labels as a "breakthrough year".
Ready for the challenge
As Alves continues to assert herself as a pivotal figure for Portugal, she appears to be positioning herself well to pursue further aspirations, a sentiment echoed for Benfica. The club has already clinched one trophy this year by defeating Sporting on penalties in the Super Cup, and they are strongly positioned to contend for the remaining three domestic honors: leading the league table, advancing to the Portuguese Cup semi-finals, and with the League Cup final on the horizon next month.
While attaining the title of European champions may not currently seem within realistic reach, Benfica remains undaunted by the prospect of facing the continent's elite. "I believe those are the matches everyone yearns for," Alves remarks. "They provide us with invaluable experience and teach us how to navigate challenges. Our mindset remains unchanged regardless of the opponent's stature; we approach every match with the same determination because our objective is always victory."
As Benfica prepares to face Lyon, the formidable eight-time European champions, at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday evening, Alves eagerly anticipates the challenge of confronting Delphine Cascarino, one of the competition's most lethal wingers, in their third encounter. She expresses, "That's the type of player I relish competing against—the ones I find most challenging."
Alves also looks forward to Benfica showcasing their identity as the spotlight shines on them in what marks the women's team's biggest stage to date. "We carry the responsibility of demonstrating the quality of the Portuguese league," she asserts. "That's our objective in these matches. Benfica epitomizes a team of immense commitment, dedication, and ambition, as our motto signifies. We never back down.
"It's Lyon. We understand their formidable reputation and what they bring to the table."
