Benfica fall to Spaniards again

Getafe 1-0 Benfica (agg. 3-1)

Benfica were eliminated from the Uefa Cup when they lost 1-0 to Getafe in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie.

A single Albin goal was more than enough to send the Portuguese club packing from European competition this year, losing 3-1 on aggregate.

Getafe become the third Spanish team to eliminate the Lisbon side from Europe in consecutive years, after Barcelona and Espanyol knocked out the Eagles from the Champions League and the Uefa Cup in the previous two years.

That is not to say that Benfica did not play well under interim coach Chalana. The team showed a fighting spirit all match, something that has not been present of late, and there were aspects of their game that Benfica can build on when they face Maritimo this weekend. But the Eagles were forced to take a lot of chances throughout, which Getafe ended up taking full advantage off.

Post denies Makukula

Benfica showed new vigour at the beginning and it almost paid off in the 7th minute when an unmarked Makukula rattled his effort against the post.

Getafe came back in the 15th minute and could have scored as Edcarlos failed to get rid of a ball in the Benfica box. The Brazilian made a mess of his clearance, allowing Kepa to have a free pot at goal with only Quim to beat, but the Spaniard missed his opportunity by inches.

In a open match Getafe came close again in the 28th minute as Gavilan sent in a sizzling shot that Quim did well to keep out. Just before half time, it was the same duo involved as Galvin had another clear opportunity on goal, but sent his shot wide keeping the score at nil-nil.

After the restart Getafe once again looked dangerous as Casquero was allowed a free header, which went over the crossbar. The hosts were starting to look calmer and more dangerous as the match wore on. With a 2-1 lead from the first leg in their pocket, it was up to Benfica to take the risks. The gambles Benfica were taking were playing into the Spanish team’s hands as Albin started to make a nuisance of himself.

First, it took a great Katsouranis tackle to strip the Uruguayan of the ball, when he appeared to be clean through, and the same player then sent in an arching effort that just missed at the far post.

Costa goes close

In the 68th minute Benfica hit back when Rui Costa sent in a screaming left-footed strike, but Abbondanzieri made a fine stop to deny the former Portuguese international.

Katsouranis came up big one again in the 76th minute as he denied Cortes a sure goal, but the inevitable happened two minutes later, in a carbon copy of Getafe’s second goal in the first leg. Albin stole the ball from Mantorras in midfield and produced a deft finish, chipping the ball over a charging Quim to seal Benfica’s fate.

Getafe almost had a second goal just before full time, but Cortes missed a wide open net, sending his effort sailing over the crossbar.

Getafe:
Abbondanzieri, Contra, Tena, De la Red, Licht, Cotelo (Cortes, 74), Celestini, Casquero, Gavilan (Juanfran, 79), Albin, Kepa (Signorino, 69)
Yellow Cards: Abbondanzieri (38), Cotelo (60), Licht (73)

Benfica:
Quim, Nelson, Katsouranis, Edcarlos (Sepsi, 73), Leo, Maxi Pereira (Di Maria, 58), Petit, Rui Costa, Cristian Rodriguez, Nuno Gomes (Mantorras, 66), Makukula
Yellow Cards: Katsouranis (14), Maxi Pereira (55), Edcarlos (69), Leo (87)

Goals:
[1-0] Albin, 78