Rangers Prepare for Benfica Clash in Lisbon Amidst Troubling Warmup
Benfica suffered a devastating 5-0 defeat against Porto, providing a dismal warm-up ahead of their Europa League encounter with Everton. However, it was the reaction of their fans that truly captured attention.
Sporting Lisbon and Benfica have been closely competing at the top of the Primeira Liga this season. However, Porto demonstrated their strength on Sunday night by dismantling the defending champions on their home turf. The victory narrowed the gap between Porto and the Lisbon giants to just six points. Galeno’s first-half brace set the tone for Porto’s dominance, followed by goals from Wendell, Pepe, and Danny Namaso after halftime.
Benfica’s challenges were compounded by Nicolas Otamendi’s red card just after the hour-mark. Additionally, their loss to bitter city rivals Sporting in the Portuguese Cup semi-final further added to their woes. As they prepare to face Rangers at the Estadio da Luz in the Europa League last 16 tie, Benfica’s recent setbacks raise concerns about their form heading into the crucial fixture.
Despite Benfica’s disappointing performance, there was no outcry from the stands. Instead, thousands of loyal supporters remained until the end of the match, passionately singing ‘I love Benfica.’ Their unwavering dedication was evident as they showcased a colorful pyrotechnic display, which quickly gained attention on social media.
This Thursday, Rangers embark on a journey to Lisbon, seeking redemption following a tough defeat against Motherwell over the weekend. The decisive second leg will then unfold at Ibrox on Thursday, March 14th.
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