FC Astana vs SL Benfica - Astana sweating on Roger Canas fitness ahead of Benfica clash

Posted Wednesday, November 25, 2015 by PA

Astana head coach Stanimir Stoilov hopes influential midfielder Roger Canas can shake off injury in time for his side's Champions League clash against Group C leaders Benfica, who can secure their place in the knockout stages.

Colombian Canas missed his side's recent Kazakh Cup final defeat to Kairat due to a muscle strain but could return as Astana chase their first win in their maiden Champions League group stage campaign.

"Roger's (injury) was microtrauma," Stoilov told the club's official website. "We did not take risks and did not release (him) in the game with Kairat.

"I hope he'll be alright. That player will help us in the game with the Benfica."

Stoilov's side, recently crowned Kazakhstan champions for the second successive season, are bottom of the Group C table after drawing two and losing two of their first four games, but remain unbeaten on the Astana Arena's artificial surface.

The temperature in the Kazakh capital is expected to plummet to below zero and although the stadium's roof will be closed, Stoilov feels the cold and the playing surface could pose Benfica problems.

"Our stadium is our fortress," Stoilov said. "We have to play to the maximum. At home, we are able to create problems for any team.

"Of course, (the) artificial field gives us an advantage, but we too go to away games and play in a different environment."

Astana secured their first Champions League point in a 2-2 draw against Galatasaray in September and held Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw earlier this month, while they lost 2-0 in their first appearance in the tournament's group stages in Lisbon and went down 4-0 in Madrid.

Benfica will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's 2-1 defeat to arch-rivals Sporting Lison in the Portuguese Cup as they bid to qualify for the knockout phase with a game to spare.

But head coach Rui Vitoria will be without both Argentinian playmaker Gaitan through suspension and injured centre-half Luisao (fractured arm).

Victory will ensure Benfica finish in the top two while a draw will suffice as long as Galatasaray do not win in Madrid.

"Physically everyone saw that (the derby defeat) was a pretty exhausting game, but we had enough days to recover and be here in the best physical condition," Vitoria said.

"We looked at the last two home matches of Astana and were struck by the atmosphere, the support of fans, which certainly helps the Kazakhstan players to achieve good results.

"But I believe in my players, despite the fact that we have injured players. We are ready to play to win."