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15 October 2006, by Marco Pereira

Dazzling Benfica run Leiria ragged

Leiria 0-4 Benfica

Benfica gave a dazzling performance in Leiria last night, handing the home team a comprehensive 4-0 spanking. A brace from Miccoli, and a goal apiece from Nuno Gomes and Simao were reward for a performance full of panache and verve.

It is the second consecutive game that Benfica have scored four goals, and Fernando Santos’ team seem to have definitively shrugged off the stigma of their poor start to the season.

It was also the first win for the Lisbon club away to Leiria in three seasons, and especially pleasing given that it was achieved without the services of Rui Costa, Paulo Jorge and Greek international, Karagounis, as all three were forced to sit out due to injury.

Early pressure

Leiria saw nothing but a sea of red all evening and signs that they were in for a long night came as early as the 6th minute when Benfica put together a string of chances. Nuno Gomes had an opportunity snatched away from him at the last second by the Leiria defence and Miccoli had a shot well saved by Leiria goalkeeper, Fernando, after good work from Simao.

The Leiria stopper was kept busy as Katsouranis, Miccoli and Simao all had shots in quick succession with the Leiria defence in turmoil. Fernando was a hero in the 19th minute when he denied Miccoli from point blank range with a wonderful save. The keeper was called upon to make an encore performance one minute later when he somehow prevented a Simao effort from finding the net.

Leiria could not soak up any more pressure and finally conceded a goal in the 31st minute. Italian striker Miccoli got the better of Fernando when he produced a classy lob to send the ball sailing over the keeper in cheeky fashion.

Benfica’s second goal came 13 minutes later following a gorgeous combination between Leo, Nuno Gomes and Miccoli. Leo crossed from the left where Nuno Gomes brought the ball down and dropped it into the path of his strike partner, Miccoli, who struck it first-time past Fernando to double the lead.

After the break Leiria tried to force the issue with more ball possession and pressuring the Benfica players, but could not muster anything substantial.

Gomes landmark

In the 61st minute Leiria were made to pay for their lack of imagination as Nuno Gomes scored, and in so doing obtained a historic personal landmark. The Portugal international showed great coordination as he knocked a Nelson cross out of the air and straight into the net, for his 100th for the club.

The romp came to an end five minutes later as Leiria’s Faria blocked a Leo pass with his arm in the box and Benfica captain Simao did the honours and made it four goals for the visitors from the penalty spot.

The win will boost Benfica’s confidence as the club now look towards Tuesday as they prepare to face Celtic at Glasgow Park in the Champions League.

Leiria coach Domingos Paciencia had very little to say after the game, admitting that Benfica were the better team and deserved the victory: “Benfica were better in all aspects. They were more efficient, more calm and superior. I think that this was the best I have seen Benfica this season.”

Benfica coach Fernando Santos was pleased with the performance, but feels that his team are still getting better and have much more to offer: “I think that we managed a good exhibition and played a good game. The team started strongly and congratulations to the players for executing everything on the field that was planned beforehand.”

“We created lots of opportunities for goals. We scored twice in the first half when we were clearly superior. In the second half we knew Leiria would react, but we remained alert. I think it was a just result.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday, Santos knows the importance of the game and what it means to Benfica’s chances of qualifying for the next round.

“Tomorrow (Sunday) morning during training, we will think about the game in Glasgow. It’s another important encounter, another competition in which we have ambitions. We will try to get the result that interests us, which logically is a win,” he said.

Leiria:
Fernando, Laranjeiro, Marcos Antonio, Valdomiro, Tixier, Paulo Gomes, Faria (Alhandra, 78), Harison (Ivanildo, 63), Sougou, Cadu Silva (Paulo Machado, 46), Paulo Cesar
Yellow Cards: Paulo Cesar (23), Tixier (65), Faria (65)

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Luisao, Ricardo Rocha, Leo, Petit, Katsouranis (Beto, 72), Nuno Assis, Simao (Miguelito, 80), Miccoli, Nuno Gomes (Kikin Fonseca, 72)
Yellow Cards: Miccoli (21), Nuno Assis (45), Luisao (83)

Goals:
[0-1] Miccoli, 31
[0-2] Miccoli, 44
[0-3] Nuno Gomes, 61
[0-4] Simao, 66 (pen)