Champions League 
/ Michael Lintorn / 13 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Nicolas Gaitan's form this season has seen him linked with a summer move
They helped see off Manchester United in the group stage, but Wednesday's trip to Russia could be the toughest test yet this season for Benfica...
Zenit St Petersburg are the first Russian club from a city other than Moscow to reach the knockout stage of the Champions League.
Zenit posted the worst conversion rate of those that qualified for the last 16, scoring with just 9% of their shots.
Benfica committed more fouls than any other the other team who have qualified for the last 16 (101).
Zenit have lost just two of their last 30 home games in European competition, excluding qualifiers.
Their draw against APOEL on matchday five ended a run of nine straight home wins for the Russian side in European competition.
Zenit have won two and drawn one of their three games against Portuguese opposition in Europe, including four points against Porto in this season's group stage.
Benfica were one of only three unbeaten teams in this season's Champions League group stage, alongside Spain's giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
None of the six knockout matches involving Benfica in the Champions League era have produced more than two goals.
Benfica have lost just one of eight European matches against Russian opposition.
Zenit's Portuguese winger Danny has created more chances for team mates than any other player in the Champions League this season (21).
Benfica's Nicolás Gaitán has the most assists in the 2011-12 Champions League (five).
Both Bayer Leverkusen and Barcelona enter the first leg of their round-of-16 clash on a low after domestic defeats at the weekend - who will react best?...
The heroes of the group stage have their work cut out prolonging their Champions League adventure away to knockout round veterans Lyon......
We've lost some big guns already in the Champions League and though the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona undrstandably still head the market, this could provide a great chance for Arsenal to go far in this year's edition....
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