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Türkiye's Fenerbahce is going to host the Portuguese Benfica at home in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round on Aug. 20, at 10:00 p.m. local time (GMT+3).
German referee Daniel Siebert will take charge of the high-voltage contest, supported by assistants Jan Seidel and Dominik Schaal, with Johann Pfeifer as the fourth official.
During the third qualifying round, Fenerbahce overturned a 2-1 away defeat to Feyenoord with a stunning 5-2 victory in Istanbul, while Benfica reached the play-offs after easing past French side Nice with consecutive 2-0 wins.
The two clubs have met seven times before, including a pre-season friendly earlier this year. Fenerbahce recorded two wins and one draw, while Benfica claimed four victories.
The return leg will be staged in Lisbon at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on August 27.
This week’s clash marks Fenerbahce’s 289th match in European competitions, where the Turkish club has tallied 114 wins, 61 draws, and 113 losses, scoring 397 goals and conceding 411.
Several hours before the kick-off, Fenerbahce forced into a late change to their UEFA squad as forward Cenk Tosun was ruled out with injury, and the winger Cengiz Under has been drafted in as his replacement.
Benfica’s squad features Turkish international Kerem Akturkoglu, who could make an appearance if selected by coach Bruno Lage. The 26-year-old winger has also been linked with a move to Fenerbahce in recent transfer discussions, adding extra intrigue to the encounter.
Fenerbahce: Irfan Can Egribayat; Mert Muldur, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Semedo; Fred, Amrabat, Brown, Szymanski; En-Nesyri, Duran.
Benfica: Trubin; Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Rios, Barrenechea; Schjelderup, Ivanovic, Pavlidis.
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