Astana without crocked Ghanaian striker Patrick Twumasi for historic Champions

Benfica are unchanged from the side which last week demolished fellow Primeira Liga side Belenenses 6-0 for their Champions League tie against Astana on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old did not travel with the team to Portugal for their first ever group game in Europe’s flagship club competition.

Mitroglu, having headed wide from eight metres, atoned for the miss when he turned in Eliseu’s cross from close range following another move down the left in the 62nd minute to secure the points for the Portuguese champions.

The Lisbon giants have only gone beyond the group stage once in their last seven attempts, in the 2011-12 season, when they were beaten by eventual winners Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

One of the anecdotes surrounding the debut by Astana in the top European soccer competition came when German striker Lukas Podolski, now with Galatasaray, immediately upon learning that the Kazakhs would be one of his team’s Group C rivals, posted a photo on the social networks of Borat, the fictional Kazakh character created by actor Sacha Baron Cohen.

Astana, before its involvement in the Champions League, managed to win five domestic titles in its first six years as a club.

Argentine midfielder Nicolas Gaitan and strike duo Jonas and Mitroglou were withdrawn during the second-half of the Belenenses game with a view to keeping them fresh for the Astana clash.

Benfica have scored more than two goals only once in their last 30 Champions League games (v Anderlecht in November 2013).

Benfica’s Nico Gaitan, right, celebrates with teammate Jonas after scoring the opening goal duri …

The Champions League season is upon us and Benfica opens the group stage campaign by hosting Astana in Group C option.

Unfortunately for the visitors, however, they will be denied the services of prolific Ghanaian striker Patrick Twumasi, who is is suspended following his red card in the third qualifying round second leg against HJK.