Champions League under the floodlights in Lisbon: FCB Women set their sights on first win at Benfica

Lisbon, floodlights, the Estádio da Luz – and for FC Bayern Women, their first away game of the 2026/27 Champions League campaign. On Matchday 2 of the league phase, José Barcala’s side head to Portugal to face Benfica. Following their 2–2 draw against Manchester City in their opening encounter, the Munich women are looking to secure their first win of the league phase. Kick-off is at 21:00 CEST.

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Ready for Lisbon: Following last week’s draw against English champions Manchester City, Stine Ballisager and FC Bayern Women now face a tough test at the Estádio da Luz on Wednesday night. | © FC Bayern

Away from home, the Munich women have recently proved remarkably reliable in the premier club competition in European women’s football. They've suffered just two defeats in their last seven games on the road – and they’ve scored at least one goal in every match. This marks the longest run of away goals in the club’s history in UWCL matches. At the Estádio da Luz, too, Jovana Damnjanović, Klara Bühl and Co. will be looking to keep the hosts’ defence on their toes and maintain their remarkable consistency in front of goal.

Although the double winners failed to secure a win in their Champions League opener for the second year running following their draw against the Sky Blues (one draw, one defeat), they can still draw on one particular strength on Matchday 2: in the history of the competition, Bayern have never failed to win on at least one of their first two matchdays.

🗞️ We spoke to Sarah Zadrazil ahead of the clash against Benfica:

Ahead of Benfica

Sarah Zadrazil ready for next step at Estádio da Luz

The opposition: Benfica

The Portuguese side got off to a winning start in this season’s still young CL campaign. In their opening match, Ivan Baptista’s team beat Juventus 2–1. The standout performer was Marit Lund, whose two goals played a decisive role in the successful start. It was also the Norwegian defender's first brace in the Champions League. In addition, Benfica have other key players in Caroline Møller, captain Pauleta and German goalkeeper Lena Pauels, who are all capable of making their mark on the Eagles’ game.

Benfica are by no means unfamiliar opponents for the Munich women; this will be the fifth time the two sides have met in the Champions League. Bayern's record so far has been a positive one: FCB have won three of the four encounters, with the remaining match ending in a draw. This makes Benfica the opponents Bayern have faced most often in the Champions League without suffering a single defeat.

🔍 A comprehensive look at Benfica:

Champions League opponent

Benfica’s eagles soaring high over domestic competition

Team news

Head coach José Barcala is still without Lena Oberdorf (reaction in her knee) and Magdalena Eriksson (knee problems) for the match against Benfica.

Head coach José Barcala is hoping to secure his team’s first win of the league phase in Lisbon. | © FC Bayern

Pre-match thoughts

José Barcala: “We’re expecting an exciting, intense and challenging match against very well-organised opponents. Benfica have built up a lot of confidence in recent weeks – not least thanks to their win over Juventus. The team are disciplined in their approach whilst also possessing the quality to create good opportunities with the ball. In particular, their attacking threat down the wings and the individual quality in central areas could pose significant challenges for us.”

Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir: “They're a well-organised side with great quality in possession and obvious attacking strength. If we give them the time and space, they'll play their way out of any given situation That’s why we need to be tight, alert and aggressive in defence. We know they’ll be playing with great determination and passion for their club – and that’s exactly what makes this match such an exciting challenge.”

Linda Dallmann: “The match against Benfica will come down a lot to mentality and physicality. We want to stand up to them, whilst not losing our own style of play with the ball and finding the spaces. We know what to expect in Lisbon, we’re looking forward to the big stadium – and this time we’d like to avoid making it quite as tense as in previous encounters.”

The Bayern women showed heaps of resilience in a tough DFB cup tie in Mönchengladbach on Sunday: