Benfica have to get past a Portuguese coach and three former players in the Zenit ranks as they bid to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in four years.
Previous meetings
• Axel Witsel, who was at Benfica in 2011/12, and Hulk, formerly with FC Porto, scored early goals as Zenit won 2-0 in Lisbon on matchday one in the 2014/15 campaign.
• Former Benfica players Javi García (2009–13) and Ezequiel Garay (2011–14) were also in the Zenit team. The home side had goalkeeper Artur sent off after 18 minutes.
• The lineups in Lisbon on 16 September 2014 were:
Benfica: Artur, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Jardel, Eliseu, Samaris (André Almeida 74), Pérez , Salvio, Lima (Derley 74), Talisca (Paulo Lopes 20), Gaitán.
Zenit: Lodygin, Smolnikov (Anyukov 46), Garay, Lombaerts, Criscito, Javi García, Hulk (Arshavin 85), Danny, Witsel Shatov, Rondón (Mogilevets 76).
• Danny, who began his career with CS Marítimo and Sporting Clube de Portugal, scored as Zenit won the return 1-0.
• In the 2011/12 round of 16, Benfica beat Zenit 4-3 on aggregate, a 2-0 home win overturning a 3-2 away defeat.
