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| Wednesday, 04 April 2012 22:01 |
Ten-man Benfica go out with head held highChelsea 2-1 Benfica (agg. 3-1) Benfica were knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight. Facing a 1-0 deficit from the 1st leg, the Portuguese team were left with what appeared an impossible task after Frank Lampard converted a penalty for the hosts and Maxi Pereira was sent off in the first half. The Eagles bravely fought on and Javi Garcia’s late header raised hopes of a dramatic turnaround, only for Chelsea substitute Raul Meireles to crash an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net in stoppage time to set up a semi-final between the Londoners and Barcelona. Benfica came into the match with the unenviable task of needing to score without conceding against a team that had netted 17 goals in its four previous matches at home in the Champions League this season. Chelsea’s resurgent form has seen them accumulate a 6-1-1 record in their last eight matches since Roberto Di Matteo took over for Andre Villas Boas. New-look defenceThe new Chelsea boss replaced Portuguese duo Raul Meireles and Paulo Ferreira with Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard, while Benfica were without several key players, especially in defence. Luisao was unable to shake off the injury he picked up against Braga at the weekend, meaning all four of Benfica’s centre-backs were injured and unavailable. Javi Garcia and Emerson lined up at the heart of the back four, with Capdevila slotting in at left-back and Matic drafted in to the midfield holding role.
Though perhaps overmatched, at least in the eyes of the British press, Benfica started with every intent of making things difficult for the London club, and pressed hard for an early goal. Chelsea were accommodating and yielded the majority of possession to Benfica during the opening quarter hour. Nursing their 1-0 lead, Chelsea were quite content to let Benfica toil away while they looked for an opening on the counter, and it took a fine block from Capdevila to keep out a goal-bound David Luiz effort following a corner. Minutes later, Mata had the ball in the back of the net, but it was correctly chalked off for offside, much to the relief of the travelling contingent of fans from the red half of Lisbon. The high defensive line being played by Benfica would unfortunately come back to haunt them, however. Chelsea’s patient approach to the first half paid off in the 20th minute when Javi Garcia barged into the back of Ashley Cole just inside the penalty area. John Terry’s long ball over the top caught the Benfica back four napping, and Ashley Cole’s run was timed to perfection behind the high defensive line. Frank Lampard was perhaps fortunate that Artur just failed to stop the ensuing spot kick as it slipped underneath his outstretched arm. Maxi sees redBenfica’s task became immeasurably more difficult five minutes before the half-time break when Maxi Pereira was shown his second yellow of the night, even though replays showed that he attempted to pull out of the challenge on John Mikel Obi. When the whistle blew for the break, five yellow cards and one red were all that Benfica had to show for their arduous labour.
Benfica were unwilling to capitulate so easily, however, and Cardozo drew a flying save out of Cech, while Aimar also went close in the opening minutes of the second half. At the other end, Ramires somehow missed Kalou’s cross from a yard out when it seemed easier to score. Chelsea kept Artur busy in goal and the Benfica keeper was relieved to see Torres’ shot go just wide of the post in the 53rd minute. Moments later he was called into action again to beat away Mata’s stinging effort. Yannick goes closeJorge Jesus threw on Nelson Oliveira and Yannick Djalo in a desperate attempt to turn the game around and both had chances to score within minutes of each other. Yannick just headed over Capdevila’s cross after finding some space in the penalty area. Benfica were then lucky not to concede another goal when Kalou’s shot went just the wrong side of the post.
Nelson Oliveira showed great pace and strength to hold off a defender while bearing down on goal, but his shot was straight at Petr Cech from a tight angle. Djalo then produced a spectacular flying save from the Czech Republic international when he glanced his header toward the far left corner of the net. From the resulting corner, Javi Garcia atoned for his earlier mistake by heading home from six yards out when he was left completely unmarked by a lethargic Chelsea defence. The tension inside the stadium grew to a crescendo, with nervous Chelsea fans wringing their scarves in angst. Oliveira chanceNow only needing one goal to win the tie on the away goals rule, Benfica surged forward. Oliveira found himself alone in the box with two minutes left in normal time, but with options around him, he elected to shoot, with the shot always drifting high and wide.
Four minutes of stoppage time were added and Chelsea were reeling, but in the end it was Raul Meireles, the former FC Porto star, who finished the game off. Mikel cleared a set piece delivery and Chelsea were immediately away on the counter. Meireles ran the length of the field before determining that his passing options were inadequate, and his unstoppable shot from the outside of the box left Artur grasping at thin air. It was a tough way to end their Champions League campaign, but one has to wonder what might have been had Maxi Pereira not been sent off in the first half. Chelsea’s game plan was initially understandable, but they became complacent in the second half and nearly lost it all in spite of their numerical superiority. Benfica will have five days time to console themselves and regroup before the crucial match against Sporting in the Lisbon derby on Monday night. by Nathan Motz |
And I don't diminish or forget Benfica's status in Portuguese football, whether it was in the 60's or the last 15 years. You obviously have a different opinion, but the question and answer you quoted raises and (in some respects), validates mine as well. If you have to ask whether Benfica has lost its status, then one has to ask why? Porto's success/Benfica's lack of success for the last 2 decades has raised that question.
Just to give an example, a couple of seasons back i was watching Benfica vs Everton in the europa league, and during the match the commentator asked his co-commentator, Joe Royle (a former Everton manager), whether Benfica are now a club simply of the past, and whether they've been overtaken by Porto's recent success...to which Royle replied something like: "I would think that to most people around the world, Benfica still represents Portuguese football and is certainly the biggest name from that country". And this is a neutral in the argument, an Englishman who has nothing to do with the SLB-Porto rivalry...but who clearly knows about the game's history...not simply football since the mid-90s...
i say that's a shame because as what happened to me with Benfica, a 10 year old kid who doesn't support a team could go along and end up following proto or braga, not that we really need more of them i suppose
that was a bit long-winded, but there ya go
unfortunately we don't portuguese league games on tv over here since setanta and espn stopped showing them a few seasons ago, but when benfica or porto is in europe, they mention our european history, and your mourinho
essentially, if mourinho had gone on to do nothing after winning it all with porto, at least over here, it would have been seen as porto success, but it isn't, mourinho went on to win big at chelsea and inter, and maybe madrid, so it's seen as mourinho success
I would beg to differ when it comes to bringing in money too. Porto is by no means riding the coattails of Benfica in that department. PDC has proven he knows how to run a club, and the transfers he's made since taking over is no small feat. We just let our COACH of one year go for 15 million Euros alone! He's out a of job now, and yet Porto is still in first (albeit with a terrible coach). Ex-Porto players are making impacts all over Europe on other teams. We have proven we can buy young talent, let them evolve, and sell them for a premium. I could list some, but the list would be long. In fact, I remember Portugoal running an article on how much money Porto has made from transfers alone.
Sure, maybe in Portugal and with Portuguese people Benfica may have all the press, but I would argue that in Europe, Porto is the club that now represents Portugal abroad. Benfica is somewhat like the Montreal Canadians of the NHL. A rich history, but they haven't been relevant in the NHL for a long time and are not considered the powerhouse they once were.
There's enough Portuguese Benfiquistas throughout the world to support our club. If you add foreign followers we dwarf any other Portuguese club.
Is Porto and Sporting known? Absolutely.
Are they mentioned as Portuguese Giants as well? Yes.
Is Benfica recognized as bigger than both of them put together? Yes.
I understand Tripeiros and Maca Podres, being thrilled that Benfica is out of European play. It irks me seeing Sporting still going in Europa. To some of your points, I'll root for Sporting in those matches, but should they lose, I will relish the moment as well. What is pathetic, is Tripeiros and Maca Podres not supporting Benfica at all in European play. Then again, just as well. If all Benfiquistas rooted verse Porto and Sporting in European campaigns, there wouldn't be much of a roar in support.
Let me add its hillarious to me that benfica fans get killed for booing Alves, but its ok for Tripeiros to boo Danny. There's a double standard.
We are by far the biggest, which also makes us the most hated. That's ok, I thint that we can handle it. Like you've mentioned, we've gone through some lean times, but things have been looking up.
We need to go into the "WC" and destroys the Maca Podres. Anything else will be a disaster.
As for Torpiano, he claims that Barcelona would've slaughtered SLB...what, like the same way Man City slaughtered Porto? Haha perhaps so, but they are the best team on the planet, and will slaughter just about anybody at the minute. 2 weeks after Man City slaughtered you, Sporting quite comfortably knocked them out, and they are gonna finish with no silverware this season, just you watch, yet Porto made them seem almost as good as Barca! But here's the difference: I routed for them against Man City, because they represent our Liga, and i expressed my sympathy on this site when they lost...
To both of you: it doesn't matter even if Porto wins the Liga this season and next season also...the fact is, you will NEVER EVER be what SLB is...and you both know it too!! Inferiourity complexes always diguise into superiour ones. And we continue being what we are, among the top 10 biggest clubs in the world! So say what you like...opinions waver around and fade away...reality remains!!!
In the end of the day, I'm a proud Portista and I absolutely detest the club that is SLB. That will never change. I don't expect SLB fans to feel any different about FCP either.
Sure, its good to see our UEFA coefficient at its highest and have 3 CL places - I see the benefits of all Portuguese sides doing well in Europe, but in the end of the day if SLB gets humiliated in Europe I'm going to enjoy it like I enjoy an SLB domestic loss. So there are benefits to both outcomes if you see what I mean?
If you walk down the streets of Porto today and ask Portistas if they are happy SLB are out of Europe almost all of them will say they are delighted to see SLB out!
I can understand that most of us live outside Portugal, and maybe general Portuguese patriotism means some people cheer on our rivals in Europe, but in the end of the day, I detest SLB and that will never change.
For the record, last season I really wanted SLB to get to the Europa League final - quite simply because I wanted to see FCP destroy them.
Last season was just beautiful, winning the title at the Luz, and the 5-0 rout at Dragao. But the real cherry on the cake would have been humiliating you in Dublin in front of the whole of Europe.
It wasn't to be, but such is life.
Losing to Chelsea has spared SLB bigger humiliation anyway, because you guys would have been absolutely slaughtered by Barcelona, and you know it.
The thing about porto fans is they cant admit fault in their own club. Most benfica fans here, including me as "fanatical" as i might seem or read sometimes (and i am...if only this site let me say what really wanted to say, then you would read something) I can admit the last 20 years havent been the greatest, I can admit we can get a call from the ref. or a goal was offside. NEVER once, have i read a porto fan say the same. Never once have I read a porto fan admit that PDC is a cheat. Look up the lisandro lopez penalty when Yebda apparently fouled him. The most disgusting dive ive ever seen in football...and youll read porto fan after porto fan saying it was a clear foul. Are you all that stupid? Are you all blind to the club your team belongs too with, Fenerbache, OM, Juventus, Milan...cheating scum.
I couldnt imagine a president of a North American sports team being overheard on police tapes like PDC..in Portugal it was brushed aside....3 points taken off the following season? Eloi...why dont you talk about that? What do you say about your president? Please Eloi, you never have once responded to that, all porto fans dance around that topic pretty well...then you have no problem turning back the clocks to salazar..haha! pathetic...Bryan will go on about LFV, but would drop to his knees if PDC walked in front of him and he's not even a Porto fan. Eloi what do you think about Jacinto Paixao or fruta para dormir, please any porto fan, I d love to hear your responses!
As far as the Europa league, Ill stand by what ive said...I would have taken it last year...we were 20 points behind porto and had nothing to play for. Last year it meant a little more b/c 3 portuguese teams were in the semi's. But if Benfica played every year in the Champions league, and never once won a Europa league why would I care. The simple fact that a team plays in the Europa league says enough right there...you werent good enough to play in Champions league. Sevilla won it two years in a row not to long ago, and im probably the only person that remembers that. But really who cares! Porto and Braga didnt even sell out in a final last year. How embarrasing is that Eloi?
The world only talk about Champions league, if Barca can become the first repeat winner since milan, if Bayern can win in their own stadium, if Real can get number 10. How many players and coaches have ripped the Europa league just this year alone. David Luiz just said he didnt go to Chelsea to play in the Europa league.
Anyway, should be a good weekend of football boys! Ill talk to all the porto and braga trolls opps i mean fans after our sporting game. And sporting fans you can still try to convince me and make me jealous that sporting is in the Europa league semi's. Where's that final this year by the way?
Porto is by far the most experienced and successful Portuguese club in the Champions League with over 15 appearances, and more often than not, it has gone beyond the group stage. In 2004, Porto won the Champions League in a final no one would have predicted at the start of the competition as it faced Monaco of France in the final. It has been one of the most consistent clubs in Europe for well over a decade now, and its dominance shows no signs of slowing down.Benfica is second to porto with it's greatest achievements being 2 qtr final births in the modern era with sporting in third and believe it or not boavista in fourth. (Taken from uefa offical statistics) excluding euro comp before the champions league format was created in 1992. In short benfica have a long way to go to prove they are a dominant force in the modern european game.
Enjoy your 2 more Champions League games Frederic because it will be the last CL action Chelsea sees for YEARS to come!!!!
I am just puzzled by some of the comments here, and I have felt the need to comment. Some people are wondering why some comments have been made pretty much slamming Benfica for losing. Personally, I think the problem people have (or at least I have) with Benfica (and some of their fans) is the cocky swagger attitude some of them have. JJ talks like he's a champion, some fans talk like Benfica is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but let's face it, there isn't much there to back it up (at least of late).
JJ's mouth gets him in trouble. The only person he is fooling is himself. Benfica hasn't been very relevant in Europe for a while, and their record in the Liga for the last 25 years or so isn't something to write home about either. Just a few weeks ago he was on top of the world saying the teams behind Benfica should worry. What has happened since? They're second to a Porto club with a terrible coach. Maybe Pereira should talk like JJ. After all, all the trophies Porto has amassed over the last few decades would back it up. But I'd argue that as much as Porto has won, they don't portray the same cocky attitude JJ and Benfica do. I think a little humility would work wonders for Benfica, JJ, and some of their fanboys. Then some people wouldn't have to wonder why a loss brings out the comments we see here.
As much as I love this site, the comments some of you make are outrageous. You shouldn't be dogging on Sporting's achievements so far in Europa because it's not the CL. It's still a European competition and if you would rather take being eliminated in the CL over winning the Europa crown, than I have to question the logic there and why you are on my team. Any and all silverware should be the goal no matter what competition you happen to be placed in. Clubs should be trying to fill that trophy case, not thumbing their noses down at other competitions. Benfica was in Europa last year, and I seem to remember Benfica fans being very enthralled with Benfica's progress. I was proud to see 3 Portuguese clubs making it so far. Now that means jack just because you lost in the CL? Seriously?
Sporting is making a great showing in Europa, and it's supposed to pale in comparison to a loss in the CL quarters? Silverware is silverware, and if Sporting wins it all, they should be commended. Because we all know if Benfica won it, we'd never hear the end of it.
It's fun attacking Benfica when there isn't much good to say about your own squad. I truly hope Kalou, Lamps, Mikel, Terry, Torres, etc... are once again next season for your club. Lol.
Funny how you're best players came from Benfica.
Maybe manager Terry can sneak you into the CL yet, but enjoy this run because next year even Europa might not be calling.
Anyway no one cares about the semi's. Let me know when you win...good luck!
One more thing...you aint got no history!
You try and make it seem like you were preserving your energy during the match for bigger things to come...haha what utter rubbish mate...we are the ones fighting for a league title and with a huge Derby coming up in the next few days. Chelsea would've loved to have dominated, but just couldn't i'm afraid, not even against 10 men and with the ref on their side, and even the ITV pundits had to admit this clear fact in the end. Pathetic!
Unless you can find a miraculous way past Barca, the Europa League looms for you next season. And yes, as a fellow poster has pointed out today...History and prestige counts the most in European football...and it can't be bought by dodgy mafia oligarch money. This is why the likes of Chelsea and Man City being European giants can only be written out in currency fonts haha...yet even with all that currency they still both get shown how to play FUTEBOL by 2 always under-rated, yet huge and historic Lisbon clubs!! The English always under-estimate us, yet we always show time and again to be better than them at this sport, and they respond by BUYING all our best players and managers..super LOL!!!
Result? First leg, after all the hype and trash talking, it was a very timid and pretty shell shocked side that showed up at the game. For all the talking, Benfica looked out of place in their own stadium, playing very cautious football, and ending up losers... But the trash talking did not stop there. All week long, we heard your players and your coach explaining to us, how a very poor and average team came to their stadium, and escaped with a victory under their brilliant noses... Talking about stealing sweets from a baby's mouth.
And now, the second leg... Chelsea saw how wasteful your players were in front of goal in the first leg, and decided to sit back and just hit you on the counter... Giving the initiative to the other team, knowing they can't score anyway, does not mean being outplayed, it's smart tactics, that save your energy for bigger things... As far as I could see, until the benfica goal, Chelsea were beginning to get bored at your missed attempts and started to sleep walk on the pitch, but as we knew, your defense was as open as an ex-virgin going for her tenth boyfriend... and as expected a safety goal was scored when needed. How is that being outplayed, I can't figure it out for the life of me...
Anyway, just to resume. Our game plan was to let you have all the possession and hit you, as you did not have a solid defense... I hope you can explain to your coach how he lost, cause he still looks a bit shocked, and dumbfounded by a very simple tactic. As for our chances against Barcelona, do not worry for us, since you have not been any friendly to us for all this time, your comments on our next game, is none of your concern anymore, and just like your coach and players, they won't know what hit them, until I go to their web page and explain it to them in very simple words...
Thank you for your attention.
Also, the current financial situation at our top clubs is making it difficult to keep our international studs. I would like to see more Portuguese but the current financial status is making it difficult to nurture and have success at the same time. Do your homework buddy.
LP, no, Braga does not field the most Portuguese players. I was going to do this extensive breakdown, but stopped quickly. Both Feirense and Gil Vicente field more and P. Ferreira just as many. Those were the first three clubs I checked, and decided to stop there.
I also love how people come out and say how we should all support all Portuguese clubs when they're in European play. But for some reason, it doesn't quite stick.
Eloi, I'm sure you were really happy and thrilled with Porto's display in the Champions League and Europa. So thrilled that you have to bash the one Portuguese club that actually got to the quarters.
Last year I had to keep hearing about how much Braga and Porto helped the coefficient. Nevermind that Benfica made it to the semis of Europa. No mention of the coefficient this season. Let us Gloriozos explain to you how Benfica locked up 5th spot for Portugal.
If you were to ask me who's the best team in Portugal right now, I would say Porto since they're in first. But that story hasn't stopped being written yet.
If you were to ak me who has had the better year so far, I would say Benfica. A CL quarter final berth and 1 point behind Porto.
Let me add that given their expectations, Braga has been very successful this season.
If you go by expectations, Porto has failed miserably, even with a league win.
One last thing. History and Prestige does count in Euroean futebol.
Porto will take the Portuguese title and won the Europe title last year and have won many trophies ,
so all you Benfica Glorious forever my @ss.
You won one league title that was gifted to you by the league when it benched the Porto players until the title was won.
And thank you for Raul …… it was a go XcXX u Benfica goal and man was that sweet!
GOOOOOOOOOOO
Sporting!
On many previous articles, I've named Paulo Jorge as one of the players who could really help the Seleccao this summer. Apart from yesterday's match, where he still played rather well, Paulo Jorge has been the best defender in the Champions League. He is one of the big reasons why Apoel made it this far.
Both he and Daniel Carrico should definitely be considered by Bento. Jorge should be our back-up centerback, and Carrico should be utilized as a defensive midfielder against quality opposition like Germany.
Ok, joking aside, Benfica did well to make it this far in the CL and probably should have done better, but Chelsea also squandered some ridiculously good attempts to score and also probably should have done better. So on balance, despite the injuries to Luisao etc., I think the end result was pretty fair if somewhat disappointing. In any case, Benfica would have been summarily dispatched by Barcelona in the semis anyway, so this was perhaps a more humane way for them to bow out.
Did anyone else see Paulo Jorge lose two teeth in a collision with a teammate and then yank another one out on the sideline. That's a real man.
Just to show how polarizing Cristiano is, on several sites he was second to Kaka as Man of the Match. On those same sites he was also second to Altintop as Flop of the Match.
It's unbelievable.
I may agree that the only thing that counts its the final score. We wasted too many opportunities.
In the end, Chelsea were better.
As a Benfiquista I still hold my head high. Even pundits admitted that Benfica deserved more out of both matches.
As for Benfica players losing their composure, its a false statement. I understand Bruno's yellow, but Maxi is the Captain and he's allowed to speak to the ref. He even pointed to the Captain band as he was waved away. Captains get leeway.
I can't wait to see how many yellows Barca and Real players will get when they surround the ref after every single call.
Meireles will find himself out of a job after this season. He's been in unfortunate situations (Liverpool, Chelsea) as of late. I hope he can land and stick somewhere meaningful.
Haters can pour it on.
Benfica is the biggest and most loved Portuguese club worldwide.
E PLURIBUS UNUM
(go look it up, if you don't know what it means)
The fact is Benfica outplayed Chelsea thoroughly over 180 minutes, even though we had an off-match in Lisboa, we still were slightly the better team and didn't deserve to lose. Last night, with 10 men for 60 minutes and no centre-backs, and the ref against us, we still outplayed them. Uefa wants the big leagues to represent the final stages of the CL, no question.
Every single decision went Chelsea's way, how many fouls did Mikel commit, double figures probably, and only got yellow carded right at the end! How many free-kicks (within Cardozo thunderbolt range) should we have gotten in that first half? They were all ignored by that joke of a ref...while every foul we commited, even the innocuous ones, were not only given, but our player was yellow-carded. There is corruption in Uefa that PDC would be proud of LOL!!!
It's alright though, Chelsea will go on to get hammered by jogo bonito in the end, lets see how much of their "parking the bus" works against Messi and Co. While SLB go out with their heads held high, and can now focus on winning the Liga. Forca sempre!!!
It's all well and good having plenty of possesion and pretty passes but if you're not clinical in front of goal then you don't deserve to win football matches. We've seen it enough times with the seleccao.
Don't forget that in both legs Chelsea also missed some fantastic chances. Mata should have scored in the first leg after rounding the keeper and hitting the post, plus Ramires with an incredible miss last night from a few yards out. It could have been a lot more comfortable for Chelsea.
I think the referee had a good game. The SLB players lost their discipline and you can't do that early on in such a big game. Maxi was very stupid.
Considering SLB were playing with 10 men and missing some key defenders it was a good effort but I think they missed a big opportunity to knock out a very average Chelsea side.
It was good to see Raul score that clincher at the end. That's how you finish.
As for Nelson Oliveira - the kid still has a lot to learn. Those calling for him to be our No. 1 striker for the seleccao need to realise that April Fool's Day was on Sunday.
Good effort from SLB, but I'm afraid you didn't deserve to go through because of two simple things really - you were not clinical enough and you're players lost their discipline. But your deluded manager will of course tell you otherwise.
Chelsea didn't play the pretty football SLB did, but they were clinical for the most part, and they were disciplined and that's why the team that went through deserved to go through.
Big game experience counts for a lot at this stage of a European competition. And as we've seen many times recently, most notably against Porto - that SLB are big game bottlers.
This sport has lost its integrity by the gutless calls by corrupted referees.
if benfica didnt get their PK in the first leg, niether should chelsea. its a shame becuase benfica were much better side.....great season boys
LOL
what a great show!What a Ynanick DJALO!
tHE BEST IS YET TO COME!aLL THE BEST FOR sPORTING TONIGHT!
I really don't understand how 3 Benfica players can get yellow cards after the penalty decision! I have never seen a penalty and a red card in half of a CL game.
Our analysts over here in Canada (Gerry Dobson & Craig Forrest) admitted that Benfica were the better side in BOTH legs and were unfortunate. Either way i'm happy with this Benfica team they played great and we can exit this competition with our chins up because making the CL Quarter-Finals is a big achievement.
I'm scpfan, so please bear with my opinion.
Slb outplayed the chelsea turds
Ref sucked
Hold your head up
First let me say that I always thought that we matched up well verse Chelsea. Yes the veterans of Chelsea had pride and guile, especially after AVB was sacked, but we are better.
The first leg was beyond disappointing. I really thought we were very flat, and if people want to blame JJ for that, so be it. Even still, we were the better team that night and, even with that result I really thought we could and would pull it off.
I thought that we really came out strong and definitely looked good. The Chelsea goal came completely against the run of play. Yes I thought that the penalty was the correct call. Shame it squirted under Artur. But what seems completely nuts is Maxi and Bruno getting yellows for dissent. First and foremost Maxi was the Captain and is allowed to speak to the ref.
I have one question, if this was Barca or even Real would those players have gotten yellows. They completely surround the ref after every call.
Although I may also agree with Maxi's second yellow, I really thought the ref would have eaten the card since the first was ridiculous and it was his first foul.
Staying on fouls, Mikel had four quick fouls with two of them being deliberate to stop a player that was by him. Yes there were defenders behind him, but just due to the consistent fouls in such a short period of time, and their nature, usually amounts to a card.
Unfortunately we were unable to finish. Cech really came up big at times today. Same as the first leg, we just couldn't get the ball into the net. Very, very disappointing.
I thought that Aimar played great, although some of his free kicks and corners were lacking. Overall Javi and Emerson, Capdevilla and Matic also did well. Vitor might fall behind yet another player. Lol.
I also thought that Nico was poor. All his crosses were short and decision making was also poor at times. Let's hope his value didn't take too much of a hit.
Djalo's entry was surprising but he didn't look bad. I did think that he need to run a bit harder and do more chasing. He had fresh legs.
How I wish Nelson would have kept the ball on his right and driven the shot on goal, instead of pulling it back to his left.
I understand Meireles, the former Tripeiro, joy in scoring against Benfica. I for one, unlike many on his site, am able to separate Seleccao and Club futebol. I boo and jeer him now, but cheer him come Euro's.
I am also extremely proud of the Gloriozos that made the trip to London and cheered our club on so proudly. They were by far the loudest in the crowd and weren't silenced.
As for the haters it's ok. Let's go over some facts.
Porto didn't make it out of the CL Group Stages and get knocked off Europa right away. Even IF they were to win the league, all you Tripeiros should think back to the beginning of the campaign and let us now if it's a successful season or not. Lol. I know that PdC knows it hasn't been.
For the Maca Podres, you're not even going to get a CL spot. You're still talking? Really?
E PLURIBUS UNUM
Gloriozo para sempre.
i wanted benfica to lose.
There was more portuguese players on chelsea than on benfica.
Today was a great day for portuguese soccer.
Meireles, Ferreira, Bosingwa, hilario. you all did us portuguese proud. VIVA PORTUGAL......FORCA
If Chelsea can't dominate the midfield against Benfica, then they are going to be humiliated by Barcelona in the Semi-Finals.
But anyways, Benfica had a good game, especially when considering all the injury problems that JJ had to deal with. Emerson wasn't too bad in this game, but I still think he is an incredibly weak link in Benfica's squad.
Quarter Finals in the CL is nothing to be ashamed of, Benfica had a great run, and they definitely did their supporter's proud today and throughout the campaign.
If we did beat Chelsea we'd face an almost impossible task in beating Barcelona. I know that many Benfiquistas like myself would have loved to see Benfica win the Champions League, but it wasn't going to happen. I think that we had a very successful season in Europe and now it's time to focus on the liga.
Now Benfica can fully focus on winning the title, which in my opinion, was our primary goal.
Manny NJ please keep your homo erotic thoughts of Meireles to yourself. Sam, get your head checked.
Sempre Benfica!
He only treated the teams fair once the damage was done. Total bullsh*t. Uefa wanted Chelsea-Barcelona.
Not much we can do.. but turn Stamford Bridge into Estadio Da Luz with the amazing Benfica support. We disgraced their team looking like the better side playing with 10 men. I can't believe someone tweeted "we showed Man City how to beat Napoli, we showed Man Utd how to beat Benfica, now we'll show the world how to beat Barcelona" or something along those lines. They played absolute garbage for 180 minutes. Chelsea fans are lying to themselves if they think they deserved it. I can't wait to hear the referee scandals when Barcelona dumps them out next round.
Benfica would have been a better challenge for Barca. It's too bad. They played some of that Brazilian samba. I praise them for the great performance.
FORCA BENFICA we will be back PROUD OF MY TEAM
Maxi was foolish to get sent off, even though i think it was a little harsh from the referee (he could've been given a final warning). At that point I thought it was all over, and the way the boys surprised me with the second half performance, was fantastic. I'm proud of every single player on the team. Javi and Emerson were totally unfazed in unfamiliar positions (Emerson looks a better CB than LB, lol, and that was the best I've seen him play for us). Aimar was brilliant too and definitely man of the match.
JJ gets a lot of harsh comments from Orlando and others, but i admire his bravery to stick with an attacking philosophy. He played all 4 strikers in the match today, and it almost paid off...Nelson could have won the tie for us at the death. I was also impressed with Djalo's cameo appearance, and it was a good decision to bring him on as Chelsea are a very slow side, and he definitely made an impact. Well Chelsea rode their luck and I repeat, got all the breaks. I will say this though, Barca are going to roast them in the semi-finals...full stop.
As for us and the rest of the season, like i said in my earlier post, the good thing about going out is we can now focus on winning the Liga, which I believe we deserve to. Without being biased, I believe we have been the best team in Portugal this year overall, putting in mostly good performances both in the Liga and in Europe (no other club can say the same can they?). Playing Barca twice in the middle of such important final Liga fixtures would've been very draining. Now we can just focus on what was always our most realistic target for this season. But I say it again, i'm very proud of our team tonight, and I think we represented the Portuguese Liga very well indeed!!
Ill keep this short. I just to say for all the complaining ive done about emerson this year, he had a decent game, and we played good enough to win over to legs, but the team that scores more goals is the winner, bottom line. Anyway, we have the league to focus on and thats not a bad thing.
Forca Benfica!
How can you even Compare CL final 8 against EL final 8? Man I need some of that stuff...
Whatever sporting does just remember when was the last time sporting was in the final 8 in CL?
My only complaint would be Aimar taking free kicks. Look Cardoso should of blasted the first one on the edge of the box instead of Aimar. Aimar has no velocity in his kicks and Cech would have no issues as he did on the others.
The announcers here in Canada at least gave Benfica their props and i applaud them for calling a better game then the first one.
The ref did a decent job. I wasn't a fan of BCesar who was diving always looking for the ref. If was unfortunate that Benfica's blood boiled a tad with a few players as they got into card trouble and it was just a matter of time that someone was leaving.
Either way good showing and glad to see Yannick in there as i think he's a good asset.
Destiny, i guess. Either way, the Blues can have fun getting creamed by Barca.
Still, good performance from Benfica, especially Aimar, who put on a splendid performance. Nelson did okay imo, he holds up the ball pretty well and made some good passes. His speed also creates troubles for the aging Chelsea defense. Still, he needs to work on his decision making: there are at least two instances where he should've passed instead of trying some soft shots. What's up with Rodrigo? He looked really out of form....Also I was surprised Yannick got a chance, and actually forced Cech to make a very good save...
Meireles' thunderous strike was awesome, can't say the Benfica fans not deserving this ending LOL
Now, looking forward to the liga, title race will be exciting as all three sides now will focus on domestic matches.
then all the yellows and eventually the red card. how do you like it when the refs aren't on your side? this is how it feels for the other teams is the portuguese league
then a glimmer of hope in the 85th min... only to be smashed by the knight in shining armor himself RUI MEIRELES with a rocket shot just outside the box. the ultimate slap in the face by the former Porto star!
XD =) =P
Also Nelson Oliveira needs to be the starter striker now for both club and country. The only complain I have is that he should have passed the ball to Rodrigo (IIRC) at the end instead of trying to curl the ball in the top right corner.