Benfica coach Jorge Jesus is eager to wrap up top spot in UEFA Champions League Group C with victory at home over Otelul Galati.
Jesus targets top spot with victory in final group game
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus is eager to wrap up top spot in UEFA Champions League Group C with victory at home over Otelul Galati.
Following a 2-2 draw at Manchester United a fortnight ago, Benfica know beating Galati will guarantee first place in the group and a potentially more favourable draw in the last 16.
The Portuguese giants have a terrific record at Estadio da Luz, where they have lost only once in 18 European matches, although they are yet to win in Lisbon during the group stages this term, drawing with United and Basel.
Jesus told the club's
official website: "We have achieved our first goal of the season, which was getting through the group stages of the Champions League, and we are the only Portuguese team who have already succeeded.
"This shows us that Benfica can achieve the objectives it sets itself in the season, and that makes us happy.
"However, we always want more. First of all we want to stay first in our group, which we will try to do by beating Otelul Galati."
Responsibility
Benfica have already tasted victory over Galati this season having registered a 1-0 win in Bucharest earlier in the campaign, and striker Javier Saviola knows what a big achievement it would be to finish ahead of United.
He said: "We have a lot of responsibility to finish first, and we will go into the match with the same attitude, which is to win the match and ensure Manchester United will not be in first position."
Saviola is not yet looking ahead to potential last-16 opponents, and he added: "We have had a good group stage and it is good to get to the situation we are in. Now we will wait and see."
Benfica will be without the suspended Maxi Pereira for the game, while Artur, Ezequiel Garay and Pablo Aimar are one booking away from a ban so are expected to be rested.
Enzo Perez is missing due to a knee injury and defender Luisao is not likely to be risked due to a thigh strain.
Galati are playing purely for pride but coach Dorinel Munteanu has happy memories of Lisbon having scored the only goal for Romania in the city when they beat Portugal in qualifying for Euro 2000.
Munteanu, whose side have yet to pick up a point, said: " Benfica are a strong side, group leaders, but we have to aim for a good result. We had no luck in the first match against Benfica, a much more experienced side.
"We are under no pressure and, although we don't have any points, it has been good playing in this competition.
"Our campaign has not been great, but we gained experience. Not losing here would represent a good result.
The visitors will be without Adrian Salageanu, Cristian Sarghi and Laurentiu Bus due to injuries.
