Lacklustre Benfica held by Guimaraes

Benfica 0-0 Guimaraes

Benfica fell to their second consecutive draw as the club drew nil-nil at home against Vitoria Guimaraes.

A lacklustre game saw very little produced in the way of goal scoring opportunities for either team. The Eagles will be disappointed with their lukewarm start to the season, but must now focus on their second-leg Champions League qualifier against FC Copenhagen on August 29.

The game marked a debut for a couple of new faces for Benfica. The first was new coach, Jose Antonio Camacho, and the second young central defender, Miguel Vitor, who had to fill in as Luisao, David Luiz and Marco Zoro were all out with injuries.

Miguel Vitor did well under the circumstances and may well have earned himself a place in the line-up again if Luisao or Zoro fail to be match fit by Wednesday.

Gomes goes close

The best chance in the first half fell to Benfica in the 18th minute, as Nuno Gomes gained the upper hand on the Vitoria defence, latching on to a Rui Costa throughball. The striker struck his shot past goalkeeper Nilson with his left foot only to see the ball roll agonizingly wide of the post.

One minute later Miguel Vitor almost became an instant hero as the central defender headed a Rui Costa corner, which Nilson came out to defend, producing a goal-mouth scramble with the Vitoria defence just managing to clear the danger.

Guimaraes’ only chance of the half came in the 26th minute when Fajardo sent a devilish pass across the Benfica six yard box, where Mrdakovic was waiting, but Quim managed to smother the ball before it reached its intended target.

The second half was much of the same as the opening 45 minutes with neither team showing much imagination. The only player to demonstrate any gumption was Rui Costa as the classy midfielder took a shot in the 61st minute, and saw it take a wicked deflection which almost fooled Nilson, but the Vitoria goalkeeper managed to hold onto the ball.

Filipe misses sitter

Benfica’s last good chance to score came in the 75th minute as Luis Filipe missed an open net, after Romeu Ribeiro’s shot looped into the air off a defender, sending Nilson scrambling, but the former Braga man struck his effort over a gaping net.

On the stroke of full time Guimaraes almost snatched victory as Moreno’s free kick was headed for the top corner, but Quim did well to push the effort out for a corner kick.

Vitoria Guimaraes will be the happier of the two teams with the result, as it is always important to pick-up a point away from home, especially at the Estadio da Luz. Meanwhile, Benfica will have to pull up their socks against Copenhagen because a performance such as this one might cost them a berth in the illustrious Champions League.

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Miguel Vitor, Katsouranis, Leo, Petit, Rui Costa, Nuno Assis, Nuno Gomes (Romeu Ribeiro, 70), Fabio Coentrao (Luis Filipe, 72), Cardozo (Bergessio, 81)
Yellow Cards: Miguel Vitor (85)

Vitoria Guimaraes:
Nilson, Andrezinho, Geromel, Danilo (Moreno, 75), Sereno, Joao Alves, Flavio Meireles, Fajardo, Carlitos (Desmarets, 64), Mrdakovic, Alan (Ghilas, 56)
Yellow Cards: Fajardo (78), Sereno (84)