Portuguese football powerhouses FC Porto and Benfica are preparing for crucial home fixtures in the European League’s second round, facing contrasting pressures as one seeks to build on a strong start and the other aims for an urgent rebound.
FC Porto, who secured a dominant 12-goal victory in their opening match in Iceland, will host Switzerland’s HC Kriens-Luzern on Tuesday. The Swiss team is considered potentially their toughest opponent in Group D.
“This game will be like a group final,” FC Porto goalkeeper Sebastian Abrahamsson told the club’s website. “If we beat them at home, we will put some pressure on them for the next game, and it will be very important.”
Abrahamsson expressed confidence in a positive outcome. “We have good chances to win, and I have a good feeling for this game. If we follow the plan and maintain discipline, we can achieve a good result.” The Swedish goalkeeper added that while the goal is to win every match, “in the European League there are several quality teams.”
Benfica, conversely, lost their opening match in Germany and now seeks to earn their first points by hosting Hungary’s FTC-Green Collect. This marks the first time the two teams will face each other.
“It’s a very strong opponent, which competes very well in Hungary,” Benfica goalkeeper Rangel da Rosa told BTV. “I expect a very balanced, very contested game, in which we have to achieve victory, regardless of how we and they play.”
Da Rosa acknowledged the challenge of an unfamiliar opponent. “FTC-Green Collect is a bit unknown, so to speak, but from what we’ve seen in the videos, it’s a very strong team with good players, so we have to adapt.”