St. Gallen vs Benfica preview

Europe flag 2026/2027 Europa League, Europe
Kybunpark Thu, 23 Jul - 6:00 PM
Europa League
St. GallenSG
2 1
BenficaSLB
Full Time Thu, 23 Jul 6:00 PM
2nd Qualifying Round Leg 1 of 2
Aliou Baldé - 37'
Tom Gaal - 80'
Goal
|
Goal
Rafa Silva - 44'

CONTEXT

St. Gallen welcomed Benfica for the opening leg of their two-legged knockout encounter and produced a notable result by claiming a 2-1 victory. The sides were level at 1-1 when the interval arrived, yet the home side found the decisive goal after the break to take the lead on the night. Benfica enjoyed the greater share of possession at 61 percent while St. Gallen operated with 39 percent, yet the Swiss hosts proved more clinical in front of goal. No red cards were shown to either team and the match remained eleven versus eleven throughout. The outcome represented a significant deviation from expectations given that Benfica entered as the stronger side. St. Gallen now carry a narrow advantage into the return fixture.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: St. Gallen secured the win while holding just 39 percent possession against Benfica's 61 percent.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with the final match outcome.
  • xG alignment: Expected goals data was unavailable so alignment could not be assessed.
  • Market alignment: The result was not aligned with pre-match market expectations.
  • xG expectations: No expected goals expectations were recorded for either side.
  • Event impact: St. Gallen's 2-1 first-leg win creates a narrow advantage for the second leg.
  • Red card distortion: No red cards occurred so disciplinary events created no distortion.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
L. Pairetto
L. Pairetto
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.4
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
S. Alassio
S. Alassio
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
V. Colarossi
V. Colarossi
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
G. Ayroldi
G. Ayroldi
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
St. Gallen E. Maaßen
E. Maaßen
VS
Benfica M. Saraiva Da Silva
M. Saraiva Da Silva
0
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
0
0 i
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0 i
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 0
0

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home St. Gallen
14.32%
Draw
19.19%
Away Benfica
66.49%

Movement

Changes since opening
St. Gallen
-78.54%
Draw
+12.81%
Benfica
+65.73%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
68.58
87.5
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
St. Gallen
Benfica
Power Score
68.58
87.5
League Position
-
-
Global Rank
285
21

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
St. Gallen — Opponent-weighted form score
Benfica — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) St. Gallen Benfica

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

St. Gallen

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Benfica

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

St. Gallen ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Benfica
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
48.59
26.23
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
26.23
48.59
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
St. Gallen +1.16 Efficiency Index
vs
Benfica -1.16 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
St. Gallen
Benfica
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

St. Gallen ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Benfica
Created Set-piece attacking threat
St. Gallen Benfica
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
—
—
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
— vs —
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
St. Gallen Benfica
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
—
—
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
— vs —
xG set-piece data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using proxy metrics (shots, dangerous attacks). Confidence: Medium.
St. Gallen
Benfica
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
St. Gallen
vs
Benfica
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
St. Gallen Benfica
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
St. Gallen 0.44
Benfica 0.35
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
St. Gallen Benfica
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
St. Gallen 0.03
Benfica 0.05
St. Gallen
Benfica
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • SG had peak pressure around 39'.
  • SLB started the game with stronger pressure.
SG Pressure SLB Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: SG reached the top pressure at 39' (65.63).

STARTING XI

Match Formation 3-5-2
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Jul 23, 2026, 06:00 PM
Competition
2026/2027 Europa League, Europe · 2nd Qualifying Round · Leg 1 of 2
Stadium
Kybunpark
Capacity
19456
Attendance
17179
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Luca Pairetto
Stefano Alassio
Valerio Colarossi
Giovanni Ayroldi

Statistics

Possession
SG
45%
SLB
55%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 1
11 Shots 10
39 Dangerous attacks 40
39 Possession 61
6 Corners 5
13 Free kicks 15
3 Yellow Cards 1

Match Overview

4 Substitutions 4
28 Throwins 18
4 Dribble Attempts 3

Attacking

107 Attacks 79

Possession

19 Long Passes 27
284 Passes 479
69 Successful Passes Percentage 82
14 Key Passes 10

Defensive

3 Saves 4
24 Tackles 16
9 Interceptions 7

Build-up

16 Total Crosses 4

Discipline

1 Offsides 0
15 Fouls 13

Lineup

Referee : Luca Pairetto

Starting XI ▼

1
Lawrence Ati Zigi
Lawrence Ati Zigi Goalkeeper
6.53
4
Jozo Stanic
Jozo Stanic Defender
6.93
74
Joel Ruiz
Joel Ruiz
Defender90+3'
26
Tom Gaal
Tom Gaal Defender
7.24
7
Christian Witzig
Christian Witzig Midfielder
6.85
9
Andrin Hunziker
Andrin Hunziker
Attacker72'
6.42
10
Lukas Daschner
Lukas Daschner Midfielder
7.68
11
Carlo Boukhalfa
Carlo Boukhalfa Midfielder
6.69
20
Leon Frokaj
Leon Frokaj
Midfielder72'
6.73
16
Lukas Görtler
Lukas Görtler (C) Midfielder
6.87
28
Hugo Vandermersch
Hugo Vandermersch Midfielder
7.39
36
Chima Okoroji
Chima Okoroji Midfielder
7.36
64
Mihailo Stevanovic
Mihailo Stevanovic Midfielder
6.81
14
Aliou Baldé
Aliou Baldé Attacker
7.13
31
Diego Besio
Diego Besio
Attacker72'
6.48
Referee : Luca Pairetto

Starting XI ▼

1
Anatoliy Trubin
Anatoliy Trubin Goalkeeper
6.83
2
Clément Lenglet
Clément Lenglet Defender
7.08
4
António Silva
António Silva (C) Defender
6.97
6
Alexander Bah
Alexander Bah Defender
6.87
26
Samuel Dahl
Samuel Dahl Defender
6.69
10
Georgiy Sudakov
Georgiy Sudakov Midfielder
7.13
13
Jakub Kamiński
Jakub Kamiński Midfielder
6.53
47
Tiago Gouveia
Tiago Gouveia
Attacker66'
6.76
16
Manu Silva
Manu Silva Midfielder
6.61
84
João Rego
João Rego
Attacker84'
6.5
27
Rafa Silva
Rafa Silva Midfielder
7.21
73
Miguel Figueiredo
Miguel Figueiredo Midfielder
6.82
5
Enzo Barrenechea
Enzo Barrenechea
Midfielder66'
6.45
14
Vangelis Pavlidis
Vangelis Pavlidis Attacker
7.4
9
Franjo Ivanović
Franjo Ivanović
Attacker76'
6.5

Events

2ND-HALF
Event
Tom Gaal
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
90+4'
Event
Joel Ruiz → Jozo Stanic
8th Substitution
90+3'
84'
Event
João Rego → Manu Silva
7th Substitution
Event
Tom Gaal
Field Goal / 3rd Goal
80'
76'
Event
Franjo Ivanović → Vangelis Pavlidis
6th Substitution
Event
Diego Besio → Aliou Baldé
3rd Substitution
72'
Event
Leon Frokaj → Carlo Boukhalfa
4th Substitution
72'
Event
Andrin Hunziker → Christian Witzig
5th Substitution
72'
66'
Event
Enzo Barrenechea → Miguel Figueiredo
1st Substitution
66'
Event
Tiago Gouveia → Jakub Kamiński
2nd Substitution
65'
Event
Vangelis Pavlidis
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
Jozo Stanic
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
62'
1ST-HALF
44'
Event
Rafa Silva
Field Goal / 2nd Goal
Event
Aliou Baldé
Field Goal / 1st Goal
37'
Event
Lukas Görtler 
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
30'

Match Commentary

90
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Tom Gaal.
90
Update Update
On comes Joel Ruiz, off goes Jozo Stanic.
90
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
84
Update Update
Joao Rego comes on for Rafael Ferreira Silva.
82
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
80
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Tom Gaal scores, making it 2-1.
76
Update Update
Franjo Ivanovic is on, and Vangelis Pavlidis is off.
72
Update Update
Andrin Hunziker replaces Christian Witzig.
72
Update Update
On Leon Frokaj, off Lukas Gortler.
72
Update Update
Diego Besio comes on for Aliou Balde.
66
Update Update
Enzo Barrenechea comes on for Miguel Figueiredo.
66
Update Update
Tiago Maria Antunes Gouveia is on, and Jakub Kaminski is off.
65
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
65
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card shown to Vangelis Pavlidis.
62
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Jozo Stanic receives a yellow card.
62
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
61
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
60
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
57
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
45
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
44
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Rafael Ferreira Silva scores, making it 1-1.
37
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Aliou Balde scores to make it 1-0.
30
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Lukas Gortler receives a yellow card.
18
Update Update
Offside.
17
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
13
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
2
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
1
Update Update
Kick-off! The referee is Luca Pairetto.

CONCLUSION

St. Gallen delivered a disciplined performance to overcome the stronger Benfica side in the first leg. After sharing a 1-1 scoreline at halftime the hosts struck the decisive goal in the second period to claim a 2-1 victory. Their ability to convert limited opportunities proved decisive despite Benfica enjoying more of the ball. With no dismissals recorded the contest stayed balanced in terms of personnel. The narrow win gives St. Gallen a useful platform ahead of the return fixture yet Benfica retain every chance of overturning the deficit on home soil. Both teams will now prepare for the challenges of the second leg where tactical adjustments are likely to feature prominently.