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Neil Lennon: 'Benfica are not easy pushovers'

Lennon wary of Benfica threat
© PA Photos
Celtic manager Neil Lennon warns his side against taking Benfica lightly and highlights the individual talent their Portuguese opponents have.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon believes that his side need to be defensively at their best in order to defeat Benfica on Tuesday.

The Scottish champions are in Lisbon for their Champions League Group G clash against the Portuguese giants.

"We have to be defensively at our best and attack when we can," he said. "If we fail to qualify now, it would be a wasted opportunity. But the job is not yet done.

"Nemanja Matic has been very important for Benfica. The full-backs and centre-backs too [are important]. [Lorenzo] Melgarejo is fantastic. I know Lima well from the time we faced Braga.

"Also Oscar Cardozo is a terrific striker, but Benfica are not just about individuals. They are strong as a team and don't lose their identity when the coach changes some players."

Celtic are currently second in Group G with seven points from four matches, three points ahead of third-place Benfica.

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Portugal
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Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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