Benfica head to Amsterdam with hope

Benfica with a strong second half performance in their Champions League round of 16 encounter against Ajax yesterday has given their fans something to talk about, some may say even some hope going into their second leg encounter in Amsterdam after the 2-2 draw. Benfica's second half, had the favoured Dutch side on the ropes and they could have even won the game if a break or two had gone their way. This coming after a first half that saw the club for the most part, hanging on for dear life.

The club that emerged from the half came out with a purpose and surprised many fans, myself included with their fine play. Benfica will now need to duplicate that second half as they travel to Amsterdam to face the Dutch club on March 15 if they are to have any chance of advancing to the quarter-final stage and pocketing an additional €10.6M from UEFA for doing so. With the away goal rule abolished this season, Benfica has one less thing to be concerned about heading into the game that looks like a winner take all affair.