This matchup feels balanced on paper, but the form gap tells a different story. Ajax play attractive football but cannot defend consistently, while Benfica are more disciplined and clinical in key moments. The Portuguese side should edge a tight match by exploiting Ajax’s defensive vulnerabilities and controlling phases of possession when needed.

Ajax's Champions League struggles continue as they are beaten by Benfica to leave them bottom of the standings with a fifth straight defeat in this season's competition, while the Portuguese side enjoyed a first win.

Fourteen months on from their last European home victory, Benfica finally returned to winning ways against an accommodating Napoli.

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Napoli looked sluggish and out of steam as they capitulated 2-0 to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, putting their Champions League progress in real doubt.The Partenopei were still missing Stanislav