1 October 2007, by Marco Pereira

Lively Lisbon derby ends in stalemate

Benfica 0-0 Sporting

It was the 100th year anniversary of the Lisbon derby between Benfica and Sporting with the commemorative match ending in a goalless draw.

The compelling encounter had goal-scoring opportunities, some high-quality football and, of course, controversy. The only thing missing were goals, but there was more than enough incident to make it a thrilling match nonetheless.

The game kicked off in a torrential downpour in the Portuguese capital, but both teams signalled their attacking intent right from the off. A dangerous Rui Costa shot in the second minute was stopped by Sporting goalkeeper, Stojkovic.

Sporting responded immediately when Miguel Veloso had a fabulous chance to put the Lions one up as he was fed on the edge of the box. He hit his shot hard but straight at Quim, who was up to the task and kept the ball out.

In the 9th minute, Rui Costa and Di Maria hooked up for a clever one-two, with the Argentine firing on goal, but Stojkovic made the save. Both sides had penalty claims in quick succession. First Ronny impeded Di Maria, then Katsouranis tackled Romagnoli inside the Benfica area, but the referee waved both shouts away.

The second half proved just as lively. In the 49th minute Polga almost turned the ball into his own net as he deflected a powerful strike from the excellent Cristian Rodriguez just over the bar.

Gomes misses sitter

The best opportunity of the match belonged to Benfica in the 56th minute as Nuno Gomes somehow missed a sitter. Rui Costa fired a shot from outside the box, which Stojkovic saved, but leaving a juicy rebound rolling into Gomes’ path.

The Benfica striker pounced on the gift and with the goalkeeper out of position, struck the ball with the outside of his right foot, when he should have used the instep, and watched his shot trickle agonizingly past the far post.

The Portugal striker tried to make up for his gaffe as he headed a Rui Costa cross in the 59th minute just wide of goal. Then Di Maria had an excellent opportunity to put the home side into the lead in the 64th minute, but alert goalkeeping from Stojkovic ensured that Benfica did not get the advantage.

A highly controversial moment came in the 71st minute when Sporting appeared to be awarded a penalty by the linesman who waved his flag as the ball ricocheted off Katsouranis arm. It would have been an extremely harsh penalty, and the referee did not spot it, but the Sporting players were incensed that the referee stopped the match, consulted with his linesman, only to decide to ignore him and award a drop-ball.

Romagnoli then set up Liedson with a fine throughball but Quim did well to close down the angle and deny the Brazilian. Romagnoli again, who had a sparkling game, tried his luck in the 82nd minute, but Quim was on the spot to deny the Argentine any late heroics.

Adu penalty shout

In injury time Sporting were lucky to not have a penalty called against them as Moutinho clearly fouled Freddy Adu inside the box after the American had shimmied past the Portuguese international.

The point will not satisfy either team as they both lose ground on league leaders FC Porto. Sporting are now 7 points adrift of top spot with Benfica a further point behind, just six games into the young season.

Both teams will now prepare for the Champions League and attempt to recover from their opening losses. Sporting fly out to face Dynamo Kiev and Benfica stay at home to host another Ukrainian side, Shakhtar Donetsk.

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Luisao, Edcarlos, Leo, Katsouranis, Maxi Pereira, Di Maria (Adu, 83), Rui Costa (Nuno Assis, 88), Cristian Rodriguez, Nuno Gomes (Cardozo, 73)
Yellow Cards: Luisao (42), Cristian Rodriguez (70)

Sporting:
Stojkovic, Abel, Tonel, Anderson Polga, Ronny, Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Romagnoli, Vukcevic (Farnerud, 69), Yannick Djalo (Celsinho, 84), Liedson
Yellow Cards: Abel (49)