Benfica versus Rangers: Ex-club vice president says manager could be fired if they lose again.

According to José Manuel Antunes, Benfica manager Roger Schmidt may lose his job if his team does not win convincingly against Rangers in the Europa League.

On March 4, the former vice president of the Portuguese giants told Radio Renascenca’s Bola Branca that after their 5-0 defeat to rivals Porto the day before, he didn’t see how the German could continue with another defeat to the Light Blues and no trophy.

Philippe Clement leads his side to Lisbon on Thursday (7 March) for the opening leg of their last-16 contest, with the return at Ibrox a week later on 14 March.

“It will always be a management decision, but as a fan, I would consider [Schmidt’s tenure] as tough if we fell with the Rangers and did not win the championship and the Cup.

“It’s inconceivable that such a calamity occurred. It is a humiliating defeat for the Benfica nation. It’s utterly ludicrous; it didn’t look like Benfica. Santa Clara responded far more.

Roger Schmidt’s career may be on the line against Rangers in the Europa League clash.

Clement also suffered his first setback at Ibrox as Rangers manager, a 2-1 loss to Motherwell on Saturday (2 March), but it pales in comparison to the opponents’ preparations.

The sweeping loss to a Porto side that came into the game trailing Benfica by nine points, as well as the missed opportunity to return to the top of the Liga Portugal, seemed to be the worst preparation for a huge European tie.

The Light Blues will have to hope that there isn’t a significant positive reaction to the setback, and that the pressure to respond opens the door to a successful return to Glasgow.

Much as Clement would like to recreate Giovanni van Bronchhorst’s exhilarating run to the competition’s final two seasons ago, he will be aware that the SPFL title race is the top priority overall, with Celtic passing up the potential to capitalize on Rangers’ fall.

By the time the Belgian’s side returns to league action, he will know if this is his last chance to add to the League Cup, with the Scottish Cup tie against Hibs sandwiched between the two legs against Benfica.

In other Rangers news, David Edgar has given his “huge” opinion on an Ibrox-related sensation.

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