Simao Sabrosa will miss Wednesday's UEFA Champions League qualifier

LISBON, Aug 7 (SW) - SL Benfica must cope with a number of key absences ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against Austrian champions Austria Vienna.

For starters, the Portuguese backline will be without the injured duo Leo and Alcides, while in attack the squad will be without Fabrizio Miccoli and Simao Sabrosa.

Simao continues to be linked with foreign suitors and thus will be dropped for the match. Were he to play, he would be cup-tied and his transfer value would fall considerably.

While Benfica may be weakened for the Wednesday match in the Austrian capital, Vienna have gotten off to a slow start in domestic play, managing just three draws in their first four matches.

The return leg is scheduled for 23 August, with the winner advancing to the lucrative group stage.