Benfica, the Portuguese football giants, are set to begin their Europa League journey this Thursday as they face Swiss club St Gallen at the Sitterstadion. This match is the first leg of the second qualifying round, and both teams are eager to make a mark in the competition.

Last season, Benfica ended their campaign unbeaten in the Primeira Liga but finished third, which led to the departure of manager Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid. Marco Silva, who has returned to Portugal after a successful stint in England, has taken over the managerial role at Estadio da Luz. Benfica's preparation for the new season included two pre-season friendlies, where they lost 2-1 to Flamengo but bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Villarreal.

In contrast, St Gallen has had a mixed pre-season, having recently celebrated a domestic cup victory. They finished last in their 2013 Europa League group and have struggled in UEFA competitions historically. However, their recent performance in the Swiss Super League saw them finish as runners-up, marking a significant improvement for the club.

As Benfica prepares for this crucial match, they will be without several key players who participated in the World Cup, including Gianluca Prestianni (suspended) and Bruma (injured). New signings, including winger Jakub Kaminski and striker Jhon Duran, may play a role, though Duran's fitness remains uncertain.

St Gallen's lineup will feature captain Lukas Gortler, who has experience in UEFA competitions, while goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi will be tasked with defending against Benfica's attacking threats. The home advantage might give St Gallen a slight edge, but Benfica's depth and European experience could prove decisive.

With both teams eager to advance, this match promises to be an exciting encounter as Benfica looks to secure a strong position in the Europa League.