Final preview UEFA Youth League: Salzburg – Benfica | UEFA Youth League
Salzburg meet Benfica in the UEFA Youth League final at Nyon’s Colovray Stadium on Monday. It’s the re-enactment of the 2017 endgame.
Back then, Salzburg, coached by Marco Rose, won 2-1. Benfica, who competed with João Félix and Rúben Dias five years ago, are now in the final for the third time and are aiming for their first title.
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preview
Both teams suffered a defeat at the start of the group stage, but were then able to win their groups. In the quarter-finals, Salzburg were able to celebrate an away win against Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica scored a short work with Sporting CP in the 4-0.
In the semi-finals on Friday, Benfica had a lot more trouble than the Austrians. The team from Lisbon initially took a 2-0 lead against Juventus, then goalkeeper Samuel Soares received a red card and Juve went out to 2-2. Substitute goalkeeper André Gomes paved the way to the final with two saves on penalties. In the second semi-final, Salzburg stormed to a 5-0 thrashing of Atlético.
Curious: Salzburg had already knocked out Paris and Atlético on the way to winning the title in 2016/17 before they faced Benfica in the final. Meanwhile, the Eagles have now matched Chelsea’s record with their fourth final appearance and finally want to immortalize themselves on the honor roll, on which only Barcelona, Chelsea, Porto and Real Madrid have so far apart from Salzburg.
These are the finalists
There is also a parallel at Benfica with the 2017 final, as this time João Félix’s younger brother Hugo is in the squad. The Atlético star posted after the triumph in the semifinals on Instagram a short message with the message: “Revenge for 16/17.”
statistics
- Benfica will become the first team to have played 70 games in this competition.
- Like Chelsea, Benfica have now reached four finals – a record.
- Salzburg could become the third club after Barcelona and Chelsea to win the title for the second time.
- For the first time in the eight-year history of the competition, there will be a new edition of the final.
- Roko Simic has six goals this season, just one behind top scorers Aral Simsir and Midtjylland’s Mads Hansen.
Final tickets sold out
All tickets for the final at the Colovray Stadium in Nyon are already sold out
Voices
Lukas Wallmer, Salzburg: “It will be similar to the semi-finals. We need a top performance, good counter-pressing and lots of possession.”
Roko Simic, Salzburg: “I watched Benfica’s game against Juventus. They are a powerful team and I think it will be a difficult game.”
Andre Gomes, Benfica: “We will throw everything in in the final so that we can bring this club the Youth League title for the first time. We hope that our fans will give a lot of support on Monday.”