ISTANBUL
Turkey's Fenerbahce are set to host Thursday SL Benfica in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semifinals as the Istanbul side looked ambitious over prospects of toppling the Portuguese opponents in their first ever last-four showdown in a European competition.
"This game will be a new chapter in our history," Fenerbahce coach Aykut Kocaman told reporters in a pre-game press conference on Wednesday, however, he was also a bit on the cautious side that Benfica "are a step ahead of us when you look at their experience and recent success, but we have been here before."
The game kicks-off at 10:05 pm Turkish local time at Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
Fenerbahce's possible lineup includes their three aces, Cristian, Sow and Kuyt, with Volkan Demirel, Gokhan Gonul, Yobo, Egemen Korkmaz, Ziegler, Mehmet Topal, Meireles and Webo.
"We all know Brazilian midfielder Cristian and the skill he possesses. Kuyt was at Liverpool before Fenerbahce and is a well-known player, and Moussa Sow scored a lot of goals for Lille – he is a very powerful forward," Benfica coach Jorge Jesus told the press conference.
Benfica's possible lineup includes Artur, Maxi Pereira, Jardel, Garay, Melgarejo, Andre Gomes, Matic, Salvio, Gaitan, Ola John and Cardozo.
In the other semi-final tie on Thursday, Switzerland's Basel will host England's Chelsea in the first leg.
