Guide to Champions League 2007/08! Benefica

BENFICA
3rd in Portuguese League
Champions League pedigree: European champions: 1961, 1962

THE LOWDOWN:
How not to prepare for the Champions League. Following a dismal 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Leixoes on the opening day of season, club President Luis Filipe Viera angrily confronted coach Fernando Santos and in such a head to head, there can only be one winner. Santos was axed and replaced by the former Spain boss Jose Antonio Camacho, who stood on the Benfica bridge from 2002 to 2004. Cue changes plenty in training methods, tactics and line-up.

After several years of speculation, star Portuguese international winger Simao Sabrosa at last flew the nest, joining Atletico Madrid. Another key man to leave was diminutive but talented on-loan striker Fabrizio Miccoli, who returned to Italy to lead the line at Palermo. As usual the Benfica entrance-door was extensively used this summer, with no fewer than a dozen new arrivals. Camacho will have to work fast to produce a cohesive, competitive unit.

THE TECHNICAL AREA:
Camacho was never anything less than an intensely-motivated left-back for Spain and Real Madrid and now that he is a coach he expects the same fire in the bellies of his players. Previously in charge of Rayo Vallecano, Espanyol, Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, he favours 4-4-2, but is infamous for being a persistent tinkerer with formations. Rotating his first-eleven is another speciality.

In an outstanding playing career, this fiery, forthright character was unable to get his hands on the European Champions' Cup. The closest he came was in 1981 when his Real side lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the Final in Paris. He did however help Real lift the UEFA Cup in 1985 and 1986.

THE WOW FACTOR:
Although not in the first flush of youth, 35-year-old playmaker Rui Costa remains as influential as ever with his sublime dribbling ability, defence-splitting passes and merciless shooting. He returned to his hometown club last summer after a dozen stellar years in Italy with Fiorentina and AC Milan, participating in the latter's Champions League triumph in 2003.

The rock-solid Brazilian central defensive partnership of Luisao and new signing from Vitoria, David Luiz. Luisao, in particular, is a one man-barrier, a fearsome marker and almost unbeatable in the air.

If Rui Costa is free to weave his magic, it's largely because twin defensive midfielders, Petit and the Greek Kostas Katsouranis, back him up superbly. As well as being extremely efficient at performing the team's dirty work, both are more than comfortable with the ball at their feet.

THE BIG BUY:
Benfica splashed out £6.4m to bring in Paraguayan attacker Oscar Cardozo from Argentine side Newell's Old Boys. A prolific goal scorer for Club Nacional in his homeland and Newell's, the 24-year-old was voted Paraguay's Footballer of the Year for 2006. His strengths are his aerial power, accuracy of shot and intelligent link up play.

He is the second most expensive player in Benfica's history, the record held by Simao, who was bought from Barcelona for £9.2m in 2001.

THE TENDER SPOT:
Their last line of defence always looks vulnerable. Both Portuguese international Quim and new German signing Hans Jorg Butt have seen better days.

Rui Costa cannot be expected to carry the team's creative burden on his own and Simao's excellent work on the flank, his knack of making chances out of nothing, will be badly missed. His would-be replacement, the young Argentine Angel Di Maria - signed from Rosario Central - has much potential but needs time to adjust to the game in Europe.

At left-back, Leo is fine in attacking mode, but can neglect his defensive duties. There are also doubts over Portugal striker Nuno Gomes, who is not as sharp as he once was.

HOT GOSSIP:
The Eagles won the race for the signature of much-vaunted America and Real Salt Lake striker or attacking midfielder Freddy Adu.

A debutant in the MLS at the age of just 14 - making him the youngest professional athlete in modern US history - Adu cost Benfica £1m and it will be fascinating to see how one of the most talked about kids in the game in recent years settles into life as a Champions League performer.

IDEAL LINE UP:
Quim, Leo, Luisao, David Luiz, Zoro, Petit, Katsouranis, Nuno Assis, Rui Costa, Cardozo, Nuno Gomes

THE VERDICT:
They may just scrape into the second phase, but don't put too much money on it.