23 October 2006, by Marco Pereira

Benfica close gap on leaders

Benfica 3-1 Estrela da Amadora

Benfica put their miserable performance in the midweek Champions League match against Celtic behind them by bouncing back with a resounding 3-1 win over Estrela da Amadora.

Goals from Miccoli, Simao and Karyaka gave the three points to the home team after Dario had given bottom club Estrela a shock lead. In the process Benfica cut the gap on the Liga co-leaders, FC Porto and Sporting, and are now just three points behind with a game in hand.

The match was marred by fifteen yellow cards and three red cards, despite not being a dirty game – a clear indication that the referee had too much influence.

The home team started brightly with early efforts by Miccoli, Katsouranis and Nuno Gomes, who had a goal ruled out for offside, but it was Estrela who got on the scoreboard first. In the 13th minute striker Dario headed the ball into the net from a corner, taking advantage of some slack defending from Benfica.

Benfica came roaring back, but their efforts were all wide of goal, with Simao guilty of a bad miss in the 22nd minute. Estrela almost punished Benfica with a second goal as Edu Silva hit the crossbar in the 28th minute.

But Benfica got a deserved equaliser just moments later as the red-hot Miccoli easily nudged a Katsouranis ball into Estrela’s net. Petit then almost gave the home side the lead when he let fly from distance forcing Estrela goalkeeper, Paulo Lopes, into a good save on the stroke of half-time.

Simao strikes

After the re-start it did not take Benfica long to get on top as they were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute when Pedro Simoes brought down full-back Nelson in the box and Simao made no mistake for his third goal of the season. To make matters worse for Estrela, they were reduced to 10 men as Pedro Simoes collected his second yellow for the infraction.

Controversy then ensued when Miccoli collected a yellow card when he latched onto the ball in an attacking zone and passed after a late whistle for an inexistent offside. Benfica kept pouring on the pressure and almost got their third in the 66th minute, but the stretching Paulo Lopes denied Nuno Gomes.

In the 82nd minute Miccoli was handed his second yellow when he was adjudged to have retaliated to a harsh tackle committed by Rui Duarte. From that moment until the end of the game referee Carlos Xistra brandished a total of seven yellow cards and two reds, Rui Duarte being the recipient of the third red.

Benfica wrapped up the scoring in the 89th minute when Karyaka, making his first appearance of the season, bagged the insurance goal when he headed in a Leo cross after being left unmarked.

The Eagles will try to surpass one of the leaders as they face FC Porto next weekend, but they will be without the services of Fabrizio Miccoli, who will be suspended for the match.

Benfica coach, Fernando Santos:

“There were good moments and bad ones. We created a lot of opportunities, but we failed to finish them. The difference in this game with Estrela and with Leiria was the finishing.”

“We were clearly hindered by the referee Carlos Xistra. Estrela also have reasons not to be satisfied. It all started when an inappropriate yellow was shown to Simao during a normal situation. The first yellow for Miccoli was because he passed at the same time the referee whistled. How can a player stop when he is in the process of making a pass?”

“The second yellow came when he lifted himself up from the ground after being fouled. If these things are carded every time they happen, there would be no football.”

Estrela da Amadora coach, Dauto Faquira:

“Benfica controlled the game, but during some moments, we were not inferior. After their second goal we had a great reaction, we managed to balance the game and deserved another result.”

“I did not understand the sending off of Rui Duarte. It appeared to me that this game did not deserve fifteen yellow cards.”

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Luisao, Ricardo Rocha, Leo, Petit, Katsouranis (Karyaka, 69), Nuno Assis (Beto, 88), Simao, Miccoli, Nuno Gomes
Yellow Cards: Simao (35), Luisao (41), Nuno Assis (48), Miccoli (68 & 82), Karyaka (82), Beto (90)
Red Cards: Miccoli (82)

Estrela da Amadora:
Paulo Lopes, Tony, Amoreirinha, Fonte, Edu Silva (Rui Duarte II, 62), Jordao, Pedro Simoes, Marco Paulo, Jaime (Rui Borges, 46), Dario (Tiago Gomes, 60), Jones
Yellow Cards: Pedro Simoes (11 & 53), Marco Paulo (31), Edu Silva (36), Fonte (77), Rui Duarte II (82 & 86), Jordao (84)
Red Cards: Pedro Simoes (53), Rui Duarte II (86)

Goals:
[0-1] Dario, 13
[1-1] Miccoli, 32
[2-1] Simao, 54 (pen)
[3-1] Karyaka, 89