Benfica avoids Besiktas and Twente in the draw for the 2nd qualifying round of the Europa League.

Luck smiled on Benfica: the Eagles have already avoided the formidable Besiktas and Twente in the second qualifying round of the Europa League, thus steering clear of two of the most dangerous opponents at this stage of the competition. UEFA revealed this morning the groups for the draw of the round, which will take place at 12 p.m. in Nyon, and confirmed that the Lisbon team will be spared a challenging start to their European campaign.

Benfica, positioned as the top seed in Group 2, will see its opponent emerge from a pool of four theoretically accessible teams: St. Gallen (Switzerland) or one of the winners from the first round of qualifying — Sheriff (Moldova) vs. Aluminij (Slovenia), Dinamo Kiev (Ukraine) vs. Universitatea Cluj (Romania), or Hajduk Split (Croatia) vs. Zilina (Slovakia). The decision on who will play at home will also be determined by the draw, scheduled for lunchtime this Wednesday. The two legs of this tie will take place on July 23 and 30, by which time Benfica will already be preparing thoroughly to ensure a smooth start to their European campaign.

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This configuration is of enormous importance for Benfica’s aspirations. By avoiding, at this stage, opponents like Besiktas — always dangerous in the fervent atmosphere of Istanbul — and Twente, a Dutch club that has surprised in Europe, the Reds significantly increase their chances of advancing to the next phases. The favorable draw allows Benfica to focus on consolidating their squad and better preparing for the decisive matches, without relinquishing ground to unpleasant surprises that so often mark the European qualifiers. In terms of ranking and prestige, Benfica’s continued presence in the Europa League is vital for Portuguese football, not only for the points contributing to the national coefficient but also for the club’s international visibility.

In the lead-up to the draw, club officials and fans are cautiously optimistic. “We know that there are no easy matches at this stage, but it is undeniable that avoiding teams like Besiktas or Twente is positive for Benfica,” said a member of the club’s management in comments made on the sidelines of the preparations for the draw. “Now we must wait for the opponent, respect any team we face, and come out strong to ensure our progression,” he added, expressing confidence in the squad’s efforts. For his part, Roger Schmidt, Benfica’s coach, emphasized the need for focus: “In these matches, the most important thing is not to underestimate anyone. We want to enter the Europa League on the right foot, and for that, everyone must be at their best from the first minute,” the German coach stressed.

Benfica’s path in the Europa League thus begins positively in terms of the draw, but the pressure remains high: fan expectations are at their peak, and the margin for error is minimal. The club from Luz knows that entering the Europa League group stage is essential, both for sporting prestige and the financial impact it represents. Wednesday’s draw will determine the first obstacle, but attention is already turning to the transfer market, where Benfica is expected to continue strengthening key positions to ensure competitiveness in line with their European ambitions.

The next step will therefore be to await the outcome of the draw and meticulously prepare for the knockout stage, without dismissing any opponent and maintaining total focus on the greater objective: securing access to the group stage of the Europa League. If the draw has brought favorable winds, it is now up to Benfica to turn this theoretical advantage into practical results on the pitch. The European season for the Reds is already beginning to take shape — and the eyes of Portugal will be attentive to the unfolding of this journey.

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