Another fine performance by Benfica in a risky European match, which ended with an honorable draw against PSG (1-1). The Portuguese and French remain in the joint lead of group H (with seven points) and are unbeaten at the time (13 wins and two draws for the eagles and 11 wins and two draws for the Parisians). There’s more to Paris in a week.
Playing under high pressure, Benfica caused problems for PSG from the start. The French (with three Portuguese at the start: Nuno Mendes, Danilo and Vitinha) took a lot of risk when going out. In the 20th minute, Vlachodimos was only a spectator and Benfica got two clear scoring opportunities – Gonçalo Ramos (9″) and David Neres (18) -, but all it took was a bow shot and a left foot to change everything. Lionel Messi froze the packed stands of Luz (62,295 people), who were so enthusiastic about Benfica’s ambitious entry.
After the start had cooled off at full throttle, it took more than ten minutes for Schmidt’s team to restore the initial intensity and reach the equalizer before half-time. An own goal from Danilo restored the scoreboard, despite the irony that he was a player trained in Luz to make it 1-1.
The break came with no extra time and that says a lot about both teams’ approach, play and let play, with no mistakes and mistakes or unnecessary stops… one way to the resorts. The Argentinian was only given a yellow warning and was able to return for the second half.
Neymar’s bike at the bar!
The coaches returned with the same players for the second half and it was not immediately clear what their intentions were. Keeping up with the first half or managing… Meanwhile, Neymar was close to an anthology goal in a great move by the Parisians. After several shots in a row, the ball reached the Brazilian, who tried the bicycle target with his back to the goal and hit the crossbar.
I only gave PSG then… Benfica couldn’t have the ball and the Parisian scoring opportunities just kept coming. It was worth the attention of Vlachodimos. Neymar, Achraf Hakimi and Mbappe (discreetly until the 68th minute) could not beat the Greek goalkeeper, who called himself the figure of the match and drew Schmidt’s attention to the need to change the team.
The chosen one was Draxler, a former PSG, for not giving up on creating, and Aursnes, for giving the midfield a lunge again. The game was broken. Any team could take the lead and Rafa had one of those sprints that made him famous and created a good chance for Benfica to win, holding the shoulder of Sérgio Ramos but losing to the giant Donnarumma.
A move that showed that PSG also thought that not being able to win does not equal losing. The draw brings both close to the desired qualification for the round of 16.
A spectacle that two fans haven’t seen since they were detained before the Champions League third round match started as they tried to sell the tickets they bought for €40 and €65 for €200 and €250!
SEE THE GOALS
0-1 Lionel Messi (PSG)
1-1 Danilo (own goal)
Source: DN
