9 March 2007, by Tom Kundert

Pauleta strikes as PSG surprise Benfica

Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Benfica

Benfica left themselves with work to do to reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup after losing 2-1 against Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital last night.

Simao put the Eagles ahead after just ten minutes but two goals in three minutes by Pauleta and Frau gave the hosts the advantage going into the second leg in Lisbon next Thursday.

The Eagles were dealt a blow before the match as key midfielder Katsouranis was ruled out after falling ill, with the young Joao Coimbra taking the place of the Greek international.

The setback did not appear to affect Benfica who started confidently. Derlei threatened twice in the opening minutes before the visitors sent their big following of emigrant fans into ecstasy in the 10th minute. Nelson went on a characteristically marauding run down the right flank before swinging a perfect cross onto the head of Simao for the captain to find the back of the net.

PSG were clearly lacking confidence and Derlei missed a golden opportunity to double Benfica’s lead in the 23rd minute when he headed wide with goalkeeper Landreau badly out of position.

Luisao injury

The 30-minute mark proved a turning point in the match as Luisao suffered a recurrence of a knee injury, with 19-year-old David Luiz replacing his fellow Brazilian. PSG took immediate advantage of the momentarily confusion in the visitors’ defence to score twice in three minutes.

First Pauleta, playing for the first time against Portuguese opposition since leaving his native country, scored when his cross bisected Luiz and Quim before hitting the post and nestling in the net. Three minutes later Kalou went on a jinking run into the box before passing to Frau who smashed the ball past Quim to complete a quick-fire comeback.

Lifted by the goals, PSG continued to press hard and on the stroke of half time the impressive Frau headed just over the crossbar.

Fernando Santos must have had some harsh words to say to his players at the break, as Benfica started the second half strongly. In the 54th minute David Luiz seemed set to become an instant hero but the youngster’s header from point-blank range was instinctively saved by Landreau.

Pauleta then showed the danger he posed as he hit a first-time cross-shot that flashed just wide of the post. Two minutes later Italian striker Miccoli imitated his opposite number hitting a shot across goal that did not miss by much.

The match then entered into decline with both sides seemingly content to take the decision to Lisbon in one week’s time. A note of praise for David Luiz who, after getting over his initial nervousness, showed enough to suggest Benfica have an extremely promising centre-back in the making.

PortuGOAL man of the match
Karagounis: The former Greece captain worked tirelessly and intelligently in midfield.

PSG:
Landreau, Mendy, Sakho, Rozehnal, Armand (Drame, 79), Kalou, Cisse, Chantome, Rothen (Gallardo, 60), Frau, Pauleta (Luyndula, 73)
Yellow Cards: Chantome (46), Kalou (80)

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Luisao (David Luiz, 32), Anderson, Leo, Petit, Karagounis, Simao, Joao Coimbra (Beto, 71), Miccoli, Derlei (Nuno Gomes, 68)
Yellow Cards: Karagounis (5)

Goals:
[0-1] Simao (10)
[1-1] Pauleta (36)
[2-1] Frau (39)