Benfica held by Estrela da Amadora to spark fans’ fury

Estrela da Amadora 0-0 Benfica

Benfica’s hopes of clinching one of the allotted Champions League spots suffered a major setback as the Eagles drew nil-nil with Estrela da Amadora at the Reboleira, sparking angry scenes at the end of the match as a group of disgruntled Benfica fans let their feelings known by hurling objects at the team bus.

It is a hugely disappointing result for the Lisbon club, knowing that they needed maximum points in order to put themselves in the driving seat to finish in either second or third place. Benfica will now have to win their last match against Vitoria Setubal next week and hope that Vitoria Guimaraes slip up in order to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The visitors started the match nervously and were not able to find their rhythm early on. Benfica hardly managed to mount a coherent attack in the opening half. With so much riding on the result, the Eagles continued to do what they have done all year in important matches – fritter away precious minutes before they imposed their will on the game.

Not until the 37th minute did Benfica register their first opportunity of the game when Cardozo fired a laser beam of a shot that crashed against the hosts’ crossbar. Estrela were content to concede possession and allow Benfica to try and control the game as the club had already ensured survival in the top flight last weekend, making for a lacklustre half of football with neither team creating much in the way of attacking invention.

Luisao miss

The second half started in much more lively fashion. Luisao missed a sitter as the central defender made a hash of a chance from point-blank range in the 54th minute. Nuno Gomes deflected a Rui Costa corner right onto the path of the towering Brazilian, but unlike last week against Belenenses, Luisao got his timing all wrong and sent the ball high over the net while standing unmarked inside the six-yard box.

The visitors produced two more glorious opportunities in the 75th minute as Pedro Alves denied Mantorras from close range and then followed up with a spectacular save from Cardozo from the rebound. Just before the final whistle, Mantorras had one more kick at the can but his header just cleared the crossbar.

Benfica have it all to do next week, but their destiny is not in their own hands. To make matters worse, the team’s bus was pelted with stones and fire crackers as angry fans showed their discontent with the team as they left the stadium on their way back to the Estadio da Luz.

Estrela da Amadora:
Pedro Alves, Rui Duarte, Mauricio, Wagnao, Helder Cabral, Fernando, Goianira, Tiago Gomes, Mateus, Anselmo, Mendoca
Yellow Cards: Anselmo (42), Helder Cabral (61), Fernando (87), Rui Durate (88)

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson (Di Maria, 46), Edcarlos, Luisao, Sepsi, Petit (Nuno Assis, 79), Maxi Pereira, Rui Costa, Cristian Rodriguez, Nuno Gomes (Mantorras, 67), Cardozo
Yellow Cards: Petit (39), Maxi Pereira (57)