Champions League Group Stage - Game 5 - Benfica (Home)
Crisetig’s suspension means that the only change to our starting lineup against Utrecht is Biro-Biro in midfield. Kardum and Quintero are able to make the bench, which is promising.
In the 2nd minute Thauvin was fouled on the edge of the area. He stepped up to take the free kick, and smashed the bar.
Santos received Thauvin’s low free kick in the 15th minute and brilliantly backheeled it to Petkovic, who teed up Díaz for a shot - post! The woodwork was proving to be Benfica’s best defender so far.
But the ball wasn’t cleared properly and then Milosevic was on hand to tap home the loose ball, and we were in front!
In the 21st minute Benfica countered, and did so with precision, Rodrigo picking out Jonas’ run for a comfortable finish. I thought he was offside, but apparently not.
It was KBH’s electric pace that allowed us to regain the lead in the 29th minute. Díaz’s pass allowed him to take on the centre back’s, and he raced around them before slotting past the keeper from close range.
A similar pass from Díaz in the 34th found KBH again, and this time he went the other way before shooting from the edge of the box. It was parried, and Petkovic was first to the rebound, but his defender managed to dive in and block his effort with the keeper in trouble.
Santos looped a shot over a minute later after a nice turn on the edge of the box.
In the 47th minute Milosevic scored his second goal, just his fourth of the season! Romagnoli’s near post corner was headed on by Helander, and Milosevic volleyed it home!
In the 54th minute a hopeful long ball from their right back was missed by Helander and Rodrigo was through! He raced goalward, before doing his best to hit the corner flag, and narrowly missing.
Petkovic made way for Kardum in the 64th, who swapped with Santos.
In the 67th minute Thauvin’s free kick was parried by the keeper, and Santos was left with an easy finish, but hit it straight to the keeper.
But a minute later the Brazilian was heavily involved in the build up to Linnes’ cross, which found the back of the net via the head of KBH, who picked up his second of the match.
In the 74th minute Bengtsson and Quintero replaced Romagnoli and Díaz. Kardum dropped back into Díaz’s position.
In the 85th minute some brilliant passing culminated in Quintero finding KBH, who with the chance to go for his hat trick, passed to Thauvin, who couldn’t miss, but did, the keeper flinging himself full length to parry his effort.
In the 88th minute Quintero waltzed through the defence and found himself in some space just outside the box. His shot whistled past the left post.
In the 90th Thauvin finally got himself on the board, as Santos’ effort was parried, and he reacted faster than his defender to capitalise on the loose ball.
We did everything right today, and Benfica were on the receiving end of our excellent display. Brilliant performances across the board once again. With Man United’s 5-2 win over Utrecht, our place in the knockout stage alongside the Manc’s is secured, though we play for top spot when we visit Old Trafford. Benfica will need to reverse a 2-1 away defeat to Utrecht in order to qualify for the Europa League.
POM: Alexander Milosevic (9.2, 2G, 0A)
