Bayern Munich winger Thomas Müller competes for the ball against Juventus' Paul Pogba during their recent Champions League match. (Photo : Getty Images)
Bundesliga champions FC Bayern Munich is set to face last season's Portuguese Primeira Liga winners SL Benfica on Tuesday, April 5th at the Allianz Arena in Germany as the quarterfinals of the 2015-2016 UEFA Champions League competitions commence.
The game will be the first leg of the final eight matchup between the two championship sides with the second leg scheduled on April 13th at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. The aggregate winner will then advance in the semifinals of the Europe's premier club continental tournament which will start later in the month.
Bayern Munich defeated Italian Serie A champions Juventus FC in their Round-of-16 contest with the second leg ending in a 4-2 decision for the Bavarians also at the Allianz Arena on March 16th, as reported by BBC Sport.
Juve netted the first two goals early in the match to give Die Bayern a scare right in their own home field, courtesy of midfielders Paul Pogba and Juan Cuadrado who netted at the fifth and 28th minutes respectively.
Pep Guardiola's squad made a startling comeback in the second half, though, as a four-goal haul was initiated by striker Robert Lewandowski at the 73rd minute followed by a stoppage time goal from World Cup winner Thomas Müller. Midfielder Thiago Alcantara and winger Kingsley Coman scored at the 108th and 110th to seal the win for the Munich residents.
Bayern won their series 6-4 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, Benfica advanced in the quarters via a 3-1 on aggregate win versus Russian Premier League champions FC Zenit Saint Petersburg in the Round-of-16.
In the second leg of their series, Benfica turned back a gritty challenge by the Blue-White-Sky Blues, 2-1, at the Petrovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg on March 9th, as per SkySports.
Zenit winger Hulk scored the opening goal of the match at the 69th minute, but the Encarnados were able to come-from-behind and clinch the match with goals from forwards Nicola Gaitan and Talisca at the 85th and 90th+6 minutes respectively for head coach Rui Vitória's side.
The predicted result is a 2-0 first leg win for Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich starting lineup (4-1-4-1 formation): Neuer; Lahm, Kimmich, Benatia, Alaba; Alonso; Costa, Müller, Vidal, Ribery; Lewandowski
Benfica starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Ederson; Semedo, Samaris, Lindelof, Eliseu; Pizzi, Fejsa, Sanches, Gaitan; Mitroglou, Jonas
