Benfica 0-0 FC Porto
It wasn't a Clássico that will live long in the memory, but Benfica's fans won't be worried about that as a goalless draw at the Estádio da Luz maintains the Eagles' 3-point lead over FC Porto (plus the head-to-head advantage) with four games remaining.
Porto's Jackson Martínez in the first half and Benfica's Fejsa in the second half had the only clear chances throughout the 90 minutes, and both players fired their efforts over the bar.
Julen Lopetegui sprang a surprise in his team selection by boosting his midfield with Rúben Neves in place of Ricardo Quaresma, and also made a change between the sticks, with Helton coming back into the starting line-up for Fabiano, this option not such a surprise after what had happened in Munich on Tuesday.
Jorge Jesus also went for a low-risk approach, Talisca coming into the team in place of the injured Salvio rather than replacing the Argentine with another winger, Ola John, and maintaining his usual tactical model.
Drab first forty-five
Both sides were erring on the side of caution, and the result was a wholly forgettable first half, confined almost entirely to the middle 40 metres of the pitch and devoid of any meaningful goalmouth action for the most part.
Porto gained a slight ascendency as half time approached and nearly took the lead when Danilo's cross caused panic in the Benfica defence. Jackson suddenly found himself with a metre of space to smash a dropping ball at goal from 15 yards out, but he couldn't keep his volley down and the ball flew over the bar.
The second half started in much more lively fashion, with Benfica in particular starting to put together some slick passing moves. This simultaneously allowed Porto to break dangerously, even more so after the introduction of Ricardo Quaresma and Hernâni, as the game became more stretched.
Clear-cut chances were still at a premium though. Talsica tried his luck from range but it was straight at Helton, while Jackson just failed to get on the end of an Óliver cross, then was crowded out in the nick of time after a sumptuous dinked pass over the top from Herrera.
The best chance of the second half - and the whole match - fell to Fejsa with 10 minutes remaining, but the Serb whacked his effort over the bar from close range then held his head in his hands as he realised what an opportunity he had just wasted.
Benfica fans happy
A draw was a fair result, and left Benfica fans cheering upon the final whistle, and as I write this report in the press area the sound of occasional honking car horns signal that many of the club's supporters believe the outcome of the match all but guarantees a second successive title.
Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, no doubt wary of the recent past, was more prudent saying post-match, "we haven't won anything yet."
Porto have to make up four points in the four remaining matches to snatch the championship from Benfica's grasp.
by Tom Kundert at the Estádio da Luz
Benfica: Júlio César, Maxi Pereira, Luisão, Jardel, Eliseu, Samaris, Talisca (Fejsa, 64'), Pizzi (André Almeida, 81'), Nico Gaitán, Jonas (Ola John, 92'), Lima
Porto: Helton, Danilo, Maicon, Marcano, Alex Sandro, Casemiro, Rúben Neves (Herrera, 46'), Evandro (Hernâni, 64'), Óliver Torres, Brahimi (Quaresma, 56'), Jackson Martínez
