Sport
Petit vows direct confrontation as Santa Clara faces Benfica in ninth round
Santa Clara coach Petit insists his Azorean side will compete eye-to-eye with Benfica in the ninth matchday, aiming to maintain their strong form in the Portuguese top division.
Petit stated at a press conference on Sunday that Santa Clara intends to face Benfica "eye to eye" and "contest the match." The coach of the island side emphasised that the Azoreans want to sustain the positive rhythm they have shown in the Primeira Liga.
The fixture is scheduled for the ninth round, with Santa Clara hosting Benfica at home. According to reports, Santa Clara remain unbeaten in the competition and boast one of the league's best defences.
On Benfica's side, Marco Silva confirmed that Jhon Durán is fit for the encounter. The Lisbon side arrive at the match following a victory against Vitória de Guimarães and two routs in the Europa League.
Samuel Soares will be Benfica's goalkeeper, with Georgiy Sudakov in the starting eleven. The match takes place in the Azores, as the red shirts travel to face the island club.