EUROPEAN football giants Benfica will be playing Burton Albion in a prestigious pre-season friendly at the Pirelli Stadium.
As the Brewers prepare for their first ever season in League One, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side will take on the Portuguese club on Tuesday, July 21 (kick off 7.45pm).Benfica are former European Cup Winners who play in the Primeira Liga and are one of the ‘big three’ in Portugal alongside Sporting Lisbon and Porto.
Players currently on their books and following in the footsteps of legends like Eusebio are Brazilian stars Luisão, Julio Cesar and Lima and Uruguayan international Maxi Pereira.
They have recently been crowned champions of Primiera Liga. Burton Albion chairman Ben Robinson said: “After securing promotion to League One for the first time in the club’s history it will be an exciting season for our fans and what better curtain raiser than a prestige friendly against one of the best known clubs in Europe who boast a squad of international stars.
“The game comes as we celebrate our 65th anniversary and will be a great family occasion that we will sure will see a large crowd at the Pirelli Stadium and a great atmosphere.”
The Brewers will also take on three Championship sides in the pre-season programme including the now traditional curtain-raiser against Derby County.
The remainder of the pre-season fixtures are as follows;
1st July Gresley FC (A) 7.30pm
4th July Mickleover Sports (A) 3pm
18th July Wolves (H) 1pm
21st July SL Benfica (H) 7.45pm
25th July Birmingham (H) 3pm
29th July Leicester City (H) 7.30pm
1st August Derby (H) 3pm
Full ticket and admission prices will be announced in due course.