Hearts will make our lives difficult - Silva

Benfica manager Marco Silva admits he watched on as Hearts came within minutes of a first top-flight title in more than 60 years so is aware of the dangers posed by the Tynecastle club. The sides meet in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie in Lisbon on Thursday night after Hearts dropped down from the Champions League following a thumping 6-0 by Sturm Graz. Silva, who left Fulham to replace Jose Mourinho as Benfica boss this summer, said: "I've been in the Premier League so many years and the Scottish league is something that we followed last season. "I even remember watching the last game and the amazing story about the last game and the chances for Hearts to become champions after so many years. "Of course, it's going to be dangerous. The atmosphere, when you arrive at the second game, it's going to be there for sure. But it's important to be strong, to show our quality, but also respect for the quality they have, quality in the last season as well. "A lot of changes, the manager has changed as well and they need time to adapt, but they were competing to be in the Champions League. "We respect them, respect the competition and of course they are going to make our lives difficult for sure and we have to be ready. We have to be at our best level to be ready to compete and to win it."