For his Group G debut at Benfica’s stadium from 8 p.m., team manager Bruno Lage is suspended due to last season's dismissal in a European League game, and Benfica has limitations, particularly due to injured Florentino and Gabriel, who started the season as first-choice players.

Leipzig, founded in 2009, had a unique presence in the Champions League in 2017/18, in a group where they were behind Besiktas and FC Porto in the round of 16. At that time, the Benfica had the worst performance ever, not winning any points.

Benfica and Leipzig meet for the first time in a meeting with Greek referee Tasos Sidiropoulos, while Lyon's French, the team of capped goalkeeper Anthony Lopes, welcome the Russians from Zenit in the other group match.