Benfica confirm starting XI for Aarhus Europa League tie

Benfica have named their starting XI for Thursday's UEFA Europa League play-off first leg against Aarhus at Estádio da Luz, with Marco Silva sticking to the same side that thrashed Casa Pia 7-0. Kick-off is at 20:00 local time as the Eagles chase a place in the competition's league phase.

Key Takeaways

• Benfica's XI: Soares; Bah, Tomás Araújo, Lenglet, Dahl; Barrenechea, Barreiro; Rafa, Sudakov, Prestianni; Pavlidis.
• Marco Silva keeps the lineup that won 7-0 vs Casa Pia in the league.
• The tie is the final step toward the Europa League league phase after wins over St. Gallen and Hearts.
• Aursnes is available as an option; Aarhus's coach expects a tough night at the Luz.
• Referee Marco Guida takes charge of the first leg at the Luz.

What is Benfica's starting lineup against Aarhus?

According to A Bola, Marco Silva has selected: Samuel Soares; Bah, Tomás Araújo, Lenglet and Dahl; Barrenechea and Leandro Barreiro; Rafa, Sudakov and Prestianni; Pavlidis.

The choice signals consistency. Benfica's coach is fielding the same starting team that dismantled Casa Pia 7-0 in their most recent league outing, rather than rotating heavily for European duty.

Aursnes is already an option for Silva, giving the Benfica boss another name he can turn to during the play-off first leg.

Why does this Europa League play-off matter for Benfica?

After eliminating St. Gallen and Hearts, Benfica reach the last hurdle before the UEFA Europa League league phase. Thursday's first leg at the Luz opens a two-legged play-off that will decide whether the Eagles advance.

Silva praised Aarhus in his pre-match press conference, noting that no side wins a domestic title by accident. The visitors are Danish champions who dropped into this Europa League play-off after exiting the Champions League third qualifying round against Sabah—winning 2-1 at home before losing 0-4 in Azerbaijan.

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What has Aarhus's coach said about facing Benfica at the Luz?

Sport TV reports that Aarhus's coach expects difficulties at Estádio da Luz. That stance matches the scale of the challenge: a Benfica side coming off a 7-0 league win and chasing a European place.

The first leg kicks off at 20:00 at the Luz, with the return fixture still to follow before either club can book a place in the Europa League league phase.

Who will referee Benfica vs Aarhus?

UEFA has appointed Marco Guida, 45, for the Aarhus first leg. He previously refereed Benfica's 2-0 win over Nice in last season's Champions League third qualifying round and showed a yellow card to Prestianni in that match.

With the lineup locked in and kick-off approaching, Benfica's focus is clear: take a strong first-leg lead and move one step closer to the Europa League league phase.