As they battle to qualify for this season’s Europa League, Portuguese giants Benfica begin their new campaign on Thursday when they visit Swiss side St Gallen at the Sitterstadion.
Although the World Cup has only just concluded, clubs from across Europe have already returned to competitive action and the pair will meet in the first leg of the second qualifying round.
Match Preview
Despite finishing the strange 2025–26 campaign unbeaten in Portuguese First LeagueBenfica failed to challenge for the title and finished third under Jose Mourinho.
However, it was enough for Real to lure the veteran coach back to Spain, and Marco Silva has since replaced him at Estádio da Luz.
Born in Lisbon, the former Estoril coach returns to his homeland after nearly a decade in England, where he was most recently recognized for his solid work at Fulham.
With no time to prepare for their latest continental campaign, former European champions Benfica played two pre-season friendlies, losing 2-1 to Flamengo. victory over Villarreal 2-0.
Silva’s side now face two Europa League qualifying rounds plus a potential play-off after Torrense’s shock cup final victory over Sporting saw them claim Portugal’s automatic spot instead.
Under Mourinho, Benfica reached the knockout stages of last season’s Champions League, where they were promptly eliminated by Real Madrid – but this race will begin in more modest surroundings.
© Imago
Unlike their illustrious visitors, St Gallen are a minor figure on the continental scene, rarely making any impact in UEFA competitions.
Despite a strange setback in qualifying, the Swiss side finished last in their 2013 Europa League group and then 29th in the 2024 Conference League table.
This year they will have to overcome stiff opposition only to force a draw in the third round, where the loser of the Champions League match between Sturm Graz and Hearts will be waiting; alternatively, a defeat to Benfica would see them relegated to the Conference League.
It was an eventful 2025–26 campaign for St Gallen, who beat Stade Lausanne-Ouchy 3–0 in the national cup final to end a 26-year wait for a major trophy.
Enrico Massena’s men also finished second to shock winners Thun in the Swiss Super League, making it their best season in decades.
However, after returning to action this summer, three friendly victories were followed by two heavy defeats: 6:3 to Lyon and 3:0 to Norwich City.
St. Gallen pre-season kit:
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Benfica pre-season kit:
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Team news
© Imago / Atlantic Press
Roaming striker John Duran, joining the club’s new striker Jakub Kaminski, has just signed for Benfica but it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to play on Thursday.
Marco Silva’s debut on the bench was without several players: Gianluca Prestianni is still suspended; Bruma is wounded; Richard Rios, Dodi Lukebakio, Fredrik Orsnes and Andreas Schjelderup are on holiday after playing at the World Cup.
On a more positive note, Amar Dedic and Tomas Araujo could return in time, while Clément Lenglet arrived on loan from Atlético Madrid and adds experience in central defence.
Although he managed just two goals in the Champions League last season, Vangelis Pavlidis scored in both pre-season friendlies and is expected to start.
Tasked with containing the Greek striker, Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi provides St Gallen’s last line of defence.
The hosts will be without Behar Neziri (ACL) for a long time, while Nino Weibel (knee) is a doubt for the first leg.
Sent off in the recent friendly defeat to Lyon, German midfielder Lukas Gortler, who has scored twice in 15 previous UEFA matches, will captain the home team.
Possible starting lineup for St. Gallen:
Ati-Zigi; Gaal, Stanich, Okoroji; Vandermeersch, Gortler, Dashner, Buhalfa, Stevanovic; Knife, Bucket
Possible starting line-up for Benfica:
Trubin; Ba, A. Silva, Langlais, Dahl; Barrenechea, Barreiro; R. Silva, Sudakov, Kaminsky; Pavlidis
We say: St. Gallen – Benfica 1:2.
St Gallen are further ahead in pre-season preparations and have home advantage in this first match, which should close the huge gap with Benfica somewhat.
Although the visitors are missing several World Cup players, Marco Silva still has plenty to choose from, including proven players in European competition.