Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Preview & Prediction | UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Match Preview

This is a high-stakes, “do-or-die” battle for survival in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The Stade Jean Bouin hosts a desperate clash between two ambitious clubs who have been pushed to the brink by injuries and are now fighting to keep their European dreams alive.

This is Matchday 4 of the new league phase. After three games, Paris FC sits in 14th place (2 points) and Benfica is in 15th (1 point). With only the top 12 advancing, this is a true “elimination” match. A loss for Benfica would all but end their campaign, while a loss for Paris FC would be nearly as devastating.

Both teams are coming off spirited 1-1 draws against tougher opposition: Paris FC snatched a late, heroic draw away to Real Madrid, while Benfica earned their first point against FC Twente.¹ This is the first-ever meeting between these two clubs, and it is, without question, the most important match of their season.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Quick Match Info

Fixture: Paris FC Femenines vs. Benfica Feminino
Competition: UEFA Women’s Champions League (League Phase, Matchday 4)
Venue: Stade Jean Bouin, Paris
Date: 19 November 2025
Time: 20:00 UTC / 1:30 AM IST (20 Nov)
Prediction: Paris FC 2-1 Benfica
Key Narrative: A “must-win” for both. This is a battle of survival between two “dark horse” clubs, both of whom are missing their star midfielders (Corboz for Paris; Norton for Benfica) to season-ending ACL injuries.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — What’s at Stake

For Paris FC: This is their “must-win” home game. A draw is not good enough. To have any realistic chance of reaching the knockout play-offs, they must take all three points. A loss would be a catastrophic blow to their ambitions.
For Benfica: This is their last chance. With only 1 point, a loss would mathematically eliminate them from contention. They are playing for their tournament lives and must find a way to win on the road.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Team Form

Paris FC (Last 5): D-W-L-W-L

Inconsistent. Form is hard to read.
UWCL Form: 1-1 draw vs. Real Madrid, 4-0 loss vs. Chelsea, 2-2 draw vs. OH Leuven.
The 1-1 draw in Madrid was a massive psychological boost, showing they can compete.
Their domestic form is strong, but they lost 1-0 to rivals Lyon.

Benfica (Last 5): D-W-W-L-W

Dominant domestically, struggling in Europe.
UWCL Form: 1-1 draw vs. FC Twente, 2-0 loss vs. Arsenal, 2-1 loss vs. Juventus.
They are crushing their domestic league (e.g., 5-0 win vs. Maritimo) but have found it difficult to score against Europe’s elite.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Team News

Paris FC (W) — Team News

MASSIVE BLOW: Paris FC is reeling from the loss of midfielder Daphné Corboz, a “pillar” of the team, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury (ligaments croisés).
IMPACT: Her absence puts even more creative pressure on their captain, Clara Matéo.

Benfica (W) — Team News

CRIPPLING INJURIES: Benfica’s campaign has been defined by disaster. Star Portuguese international Andreia Norton is out for the entire 2025/26 season with a major knee injury.
OUT: Fellow international Ana Borges is also out with a long-term ACL rupture.
IMPACT: Without their two main creative forces, the team has struggled to transition from domestic dominance to European quality.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Predicted Lineups

Paris FC (4-3-3)

GK: Chavas
DEF: Bogaert, Greboval, Ould Hocine, N’Dongala
MID: Korosec, Le Moguédec, Thiney
FW: Matéo (c), Azzaro, Garbino(Note: Based on their lineup vs. Real Madrid, with captain Clara Matéo leading the attack).

Benfica (4-3-3)

GK: Pauels (or Rute Costa)
DEF: Amado, Diana Gomes, Ucheibe, Lund
MID: Gasper, Cameirão, Lúcia Alves
FW: Davidson, Martín-Prieto, Møller(Note: Based on their lineup vs. Twente, with Christy Ucheibe likely playing in a hybrid defensive mid/CB role where she was Player of the Match).

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Spotlight Players

Clara Matéo (Paris FC): The captain, the #10, and the team’s heart. Matéo was the French league’s top scorer last season and is a full French international.² With Corboz out, all of Paris FC’s creative hopes rest on her shoulders.
Christy Ucheibe (Benfica): The Nigerian international and defensive rock. Ucheibe was named the official UEFA Player of the Match in their 1-1 draw with Twente for her commanding performance.³ Her job will be to break up Paris FC’s attack and stop Matéo.
Cristina Martín-Prieto (Benfica): The Spanish striker who scored their crucial goal against Twente.⁴ With Benfica’s midfield creators injured, her ability to finish half-chances is their most likely path to a goal.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Head to Head

This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the senior women’s teams of Paris FC and SL Benfica.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Tactical Outlook

Paris FC (W) Tactical Approach

Possession and Control: Under Sandrine Soubeyrand, Paris FC will look to control the ball at home.
Matéo the “Maestro”: Their entire plan will revolve around getting the ball to their captain, Clara Matéo, in dangerous areas between the lines.
Frustration: They have a bad habit of failing to hold leads (they lost a 2-0 lead to OHL). They need to be clinical and, more importantly, “learn fast” at this level.

Benfica (W) Tactical Approach

Defensive Solidity: Without their star attackers, Benfica has become a pragmatic, defensive-first team in Europe.
The “Ucheibe” Wall: They will rely on Christy Ucheibe to shield their backline and win physical duels in the midfield.
Strength: They are organized and hard to beat, but they lack the creative spark to unlock top-tier defences consistently.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Key Battles

Matchup	Battle Type	Edge
Clara Matéo (PFC) vs. Christy Ucheibe (BEN)	Creator vs. Destroyer	Even
Garbino/Azzaro (PFC) vs. Diana Gomes (BEN)	Pace vs. Positioning	Paris FC
Martín-Prieto (BEN) vs. Greboval (PFC)	Poacher vs. Veteran Defender	Even
Paris FC’s Nerves vs. Benfica’s Defence	Psychological	Even

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Statistical Snapshot

Metric	Paris FC	Benfica
League Phase Position	14th	15th
Points	2 (from 3 matches)	1 (from 3 matches)
Goals For / Conceded	3 GF / 7 GA (-4)	2 GF / 5 GA (-3)
Last UWCL Result	1-1 Draw vs. Real Madrid	1-1 Draw vs. FC Twente
H2H	First-Ever Meeting	First-Ever Meeting

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Fan Reactions

Paris FC Fans:

“That draw against Real Madrid was heroic! We have to build on that.”
“With Corboz out, it’s all on Matéo. She has to save our season.”
“This is a final. A draw is useless. We must win at home.”

Benfica Fans:

“Finally, our first point! Ucheibe was a monster!”
“With Norton and Borges out for the season, a point is good. But we need a win here to have any hope.”
“This is the game. If we win, the dream is alive. If we lose, it’s over.”

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Where to Watch

Global: DAZN (DAZN UEFA Women’s Champions League)
YouTube: DAZN Women’s Football YouTube Channel (Select matches)
UK: TNT Sports, DAZN
France: DAZN
Portugal: DAZN, Canal 11
India: DAZN

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Match-Defining Factors

The Battle of the “Walking Wounded”: Which team will cope better without their season-ending ACL injuries (Corboz for Paris; Norton/Borges for Benfica)?
Home Advantage: Paris FC is playing at home and must use that energy. This is their biggest advantage.
Clara Matéo vs. Christy Ucheibe: This is the game. The “artist” vs. the “warrior.” Whichever of these two stars dominates their area will likely win the match for their team.
The “Must-Win” Pressure: This is not a tactical chess match; it’s a desperate fight for survival. The team that manages its nerves better will win.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Prediction

Paris FC 2–1 Benfica

Why:

This is an incredibly even match between two teams in identical, desperate situations. Both are coming off 1-1 draws, and both are missing key players.

The deciding factor will be home advantage and the individual brilliance of Clara Matéo. She is a proven top-tier goalscorer and creator, and Paris FC’s entire system is built around her. Benfica is a fantastic defensive unit, but the loss of both Norton and Borges has robbed them of their ability to hurt teams at this level. Paris FC will scrape a narrow, nervous victory.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — Final Word

Forget the superstars of Lyon or Barcelona; this is the real drama of the Champions League. It’s a true “dark horse” derby, a knockout match in the group stage. The loser goes home. The winner keeps the dream alive.

Paris FC (W) vs Benfica (W) — FAQs

Q1: What time is the match?

01:30 AM IST on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

Q2: Why is this match so important?

It’s an “elimination” match. Both teams are at the bottom of the table (Paris 14th, Benfica 15th) and need a win to have any hope of reaching the knockout rounds.

Q3: Are these teams’ stars playing?

No, both teams are crippled by injuries. Paris FC is missing star midfielder Daphné Corboz (ACL). Benfica is missing two star midfielders, Andreia Norton and Ana Borges (both ACL).

Q4: Have they played before?

No. This is their first-ever competitive meeting.

Q5: Key players to watch?

For Paris FC: Clara Matéo (FW/Captain). For Benfica: Christy Ucheibe (MID/DEF).

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