BENFICA are coming to Glasgow this week determined to take three points from their opening Champions League group stage game against Celtic.
Argentinian midfielder Enzo Perez delivered their statement of intent when he said: "We'll go to Scotland to get a victory because we want to have a good start in a very complicated group.
"Every match is a final to us."
Benfica were boosted when they received news that Celtic had lost to their first game of the season on Saturday, to St Johnstone.
However, the Hoops' defensive problems are being mirrored by Benfica.
The Portuguese league leaders today expect to receive confirmation from Uefa that captain and central defender Luisao's two-month ban for knocking over a referee in a pre-season friendly in Germany will include the first four Champions League group stage games.
The loss of the experienced Brazilian is a double whammy for Benfica boss Jorge Jesus.
He is without right back Maxi Pereira, who is serving a one-game suspensions carried over from last season when he was sent off in the Lisbon Eagles' final Champions League game, against Chelsea.
Luisao has been informed that, if the appeal lodged by Benfica against the punishment handed down by the Portguese FA is unsuccessful, Fifa plan to extend it to international matches. So, Jesus is preparing to field an untried back four at Parkhead in Miguel Vitor, Jardel, Garay and Melgarejo.
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