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| Thursday, 01 October 2009 21:38 |
Europa League: AEK edge out BenficaAEK 1-0 Benfica Benfica’s five-match winning streak came to an end in Athens tonight, as Jorge Jesus’ men were beaten by a spirited AEK side in the Greek capital.
A headed goal from Swedish defender Daniel Majstorovic two minutes before the break proved enough to give the hosts all three points against the Eagles, who despite starting both halves strongly, failed to find a way past the impressive Sebastian Saja in the AEK goal. Jorge Jesus made just one change from the side that beat Leixoes so convincingly at the weekend, with Julio Cesar taking over goalkeeping responsibilities from Quim, and Benfica looked the more dangerous in what was a somewhat quiet start to the match, with Ramires shooting straight at Saja. However, the home side, who were without Portuguese defender Geraldo Alves, grew into the match as the half went on. Striker Ismael Blanco was wasteful with three good opportunities, while Oscar Cardozo headed wide at the other end, but AEK did break through just minutes before the interval when Majstorovic powerfully headed in a corner from ex-Benfica man Gustavo Manduca. Benfica started the second period on the front foot, and both Angel Di Maria and Javier Saviola forced Argentine goalkeeper Saja into saves early on after the re-start. Jorge Jesus threw on both Fabio Coentrao and Weldon before the hour, but Coentrao became the latest to be denied by Saja with a powerful shot, while Cardozo’s free-kick was also saved. The Greek side had to play the final few minutes with ten men after Nikos Georgeas was dismissed for a second bookable offence, but Benfica failed to make the late pressure count and slip down to 3rd in the group ahead of an intriguing double-header with English club Everton. AEK Saja; Georgeas, Majstorovic, Arce, Juanfran; Kafes (Gentzoglou, 68 m), Jahic, Hersi (Leonardo, 77 m), Manduca; Scocco (Karabelas, 87 m), Blanco. Yellow Cards: Georgeas (8, 85), Jahic (65), Gentzoglou (86) Red Cards: Georgeas (85) Benfica: Júlio César; Maxi Pereira (Fábio Coentrão, 58 m), Luisão, David Luiz, César Peixoto; Javi Garcia; Ramires, Aimar (Nuno Gomes, 79 m), Di Maria; Cardozo, Saviola (Weldon, 58 m). Yellow Cards: Maxi (48), Ramires (73), Cardozo (87) Goals: [1-0] Majstorovic, 42’ |
For those who mock and criticize Benfica for having lost, exorcise your demons on your own time. It's not healthy to hold all that hatred and jealousy inside. Find someone to give you a hug!
Forca Benfica!!!!!
as a aek fan i am very happy my team won the game it was a win needed for the team!!!
the team management made transfer mooves to late !! on the last days of the transfer season we lost kiriakos to liverpool we got 3 of the defenders on that last week!!
that was one of the reasons aek lost bad to everton..but the team still needs work .... not trying to make exuses but aek isnt as bad as you guys think!! and they definetly have fight in their souls!!!
benfica had the bad luck to come in the game on a bad streak on aek's part we lost 2 big headers at home one to olimpiakos we got surgery performed on us by the referry and the other loss was to panathinaikos also a loss to a miss call by the referry.... AEK had the back to the wall we needed the win!!! when aek needs she gets its what makes her a great team!!!
but most of our fans allso love benfica and we had the time of our life having you guys over in athens for such a great game!!!
me mysellf am going to try to come over to your stadium to se the reematch between us !!!
till then good luck to your team !!
sincearly socrates.g.
Although, I wouldnt say Benfica could have won the game easily. You had some great chances, but we did as well. It was a great game form both teams, exciting football, and I got to see it live. I was so happy to finally see Benfica live, a truly historic team. Good luck in the rest of the competition.
Its all well and good scoring lots of goals against the small teams in the league but this was the first time Benfica played a half-decent team this season (and even that is being generous - AEK are awful at the moment) and they fell flat on their faces.
To be honest I think the FPF should ban Benfica from playing in Europe to spare Portugal any more embarrassment. At least Braga, Nacional, Sporting & Porto have all performed well in Europe in recent seasons given their respective resources, but Benfica continue to be nothing short of a disgrace.
Forca Benfica
Benfica should of won this game easily; too many chances to score and nothing. I heard that their goal went off our defender's back and in. I couldn't of seen this game because I was at work. Well, Benfica better get back on track against Leixoes on the weekend or this will not look good.