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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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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
CCeltic550095306593
2RangersRangers531187325585
3Hearts513154421268
4Kilmarnock51224644256
5St Mirren51134652-647
6Dundee50144968-1942
Relegation Group
1Aberdeen54104852-448
2Hibernian52125259-746
3Motherwell52035659-343
4St Johnstone51132954-2535
5Ross County51223867-2935
RLivingston52122970-4125
 
First Phase
CCeltic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
RLivingston3339212259-3718


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