Watch Now: Live Online Streaming UEFA Champions League 2013 – Paris Saint-Germain FC vs. SL Benfica Preview
Paris Saint-Germain FC boss Laurent Blanc will not take visitors SL Benfica lightly matchday 2 in the UEFA Champions League.
Benfica are currently on fifth spot in their domestic league, but Blanc knows the caliber that the Portuguese team has because of their vast amount of experience in Europe.
"We know Benfica are fifth in their league, but it would be a safe bet to say they will finish in the top two or three come the end of the season. They have been very consistent, which explains their great experience in the Champions League. We have to respect them, but must also have the will to win and cause them a lot of difficulties," Blanc told uefa.com.
According to Blanc, Benfica plays possession football in their domestic league, but he is unsure whether such will be the case against them.
The PSG mentor was able to gain first-hand information of the tactics of opposition manager Jorge De Jesus during a coaches' forum, but still remains puzzled.
"We know Benfica well, even more so since we've scouted them a few times since the draw. I know Jorge Jesus - we had an opportunity to talk at the recent [UEFA elite club] coaches forum. It is their intention which will shape the game - will they sit deep and wait at the beginning of the match, or try and attack straight away? I have no idea," he added.
Thiago Silva, Alex and Javier Pastore will not suit up due to injuries.
Benfica boss De Jesus is aware of the attacking prowess that PSG has and said that his probable solution will be to dominate possession in order to neutralise the Parisians' offence.
I've spent a lot of time analysing PSG. They have a very good team from an attacking point of view - Zlatan Ibrahimović, Edison Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lucas can trouble any defence - but we haven't come here to sit back. If we manage to keep possession, as we always do, we'll have a good chance of getting a positive result.
Support from the crowd will not be a concern for the Benfica as De Jesus said that Paris has the second-largest Portuguese population next to Lisbon.
Rúben Amorim, Sílvio and Eduardo Salvio are unavailable for the visitors.
Schedule and Free Live Online Streaming (Link will be provided an hour before kick-off):
Oct 3, 2013 - 4:45 am (AEST)
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