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Sidnei keeps Benfica’s championship quest on track

Benfica 1-0 Estrela da Amadora

Benfica poured a little more misery onto Estrela da Amadora as the Eagles downed their Lisbon suburb neighbours 1-0 at the Estadio da Luz. A single Sidnei strike was enough for Benfica to collect all three points and remain one point behind shock leaders Leixoes.

Despite growing concerns over Estrela’s financial situation, the team marched into the Luz with their heads held high and looked to gain at least a point from the Reds. But Benfica’s ability to snatch vital victories this season was exhibited once again as the team distanced themselves from rivals FC Porto and Sporting.

A tepid first half saw very little in the way of goalscoring opportunities. Estrela were more than content to play a defensive game by keeping a minimum of nine players in their own half and only hitting on the occasional counter attack. Benfica found it difficult to find space in a cluttered Estrela half.

Quim alert

But it would be the visitors who registered the game’s first good goalscoring opportunity as Nuno Andre Coelho forced Quim to make a spectacular save in the 16th minute as his header looked to make its way into the top corner.

The hosts were enjoying the majority of possession and shots on goal and in the 26th minute a poor clearance by the Estrela defence saw the ball bounce to Aimar on the edge of the box. The Argentine produced one of his many deft touches, as we are accustomed to seeing, and laid the ball to Suazo who blasted his effort over the net.

The match continued in much the same vein until the break, but Benfica came out flying in the second half, playing with more pace and determination.

Quique Flores’ pep talk had done the team good as the hosts scored in the 50th minute. Aimar sent a ball into the Estrela box, which was neatly brought down by Nuno Gomes. The striker did well to hold off his marker and lay the ball off for the oncoming Sidnei, who left-footed his effort into the low far corner to score his third league goal and give Benfica the lead.

Suazo goes close

The goal would prove to be enough as Estrela never came close to Benfica’s net with the exception of the header in the first half. Suazo was within a hair’s breadth of doubling Benfica’s lead in the 76th minute, but the Honduran just failed to connect with a Reyes cross.

It was not Benfica’s prettiest of efforts, but it was a deserved victory nonetheless as the team completely dominated Estrela in all aspects of the game and netted an important victory for the club as they keep pace with Leixoes and try to win their first championship since 2005.

Benfica:
Quim, Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Sidnei, Jorge Ribeiro, Katsouranis, Yebda, Carlos Martins (Binya, 80), Aimar (Cardozo, 86), Nuno Gomes (Reyes, 64), Suazo
Yellow Cards: Luisao

Estrela da Amadora:
Nelosn, Hugo Gomes, Mustafa, Nuno Andre Coelho, Moreno, Fernando Alexandre, Celestino (Teti, 64), Vidigal, Jardel (Pedro Pereira, 86), Varela, Ndiaye (Anselmo, 77)

Goals:
[1-0] Sidnei, 50