Benfica made a false start this Wednesday in their debut in the 2023/24 Champions League, losing 0-2 to RB Salzburg in Luz, in a match in which they fell asleep, conceded a goal and were reduced to ten very early brought back, and despite their reaction, he saw the Austrians score again almost at the start of the second half. In the Champions League, losing games on home turf, especially against theoretically weaker opponents, is not a good sign. And the next match is on October 3, against Inter Milan, in Italy, last season’s defeated finalists.
The match was emotionally special for coach Roger Schmidt, as the German coach won the first trophies of his career with RB Salzburg in the 2013-2014 season: the championship and the Austrian Cup.
Emotions aside, Schmidt retained the same eleven that had defeated Vizela this weekend. Despite saying at the start of the season that he had more solutions in the squad this year, allowing him to rotate, the German opted for the same team, with Aursnes still adapting to the left defense, the usual midfield and Musa as the most advanced player – Florentino, Neres and Arthur Cabral remained on the bench.
It was an awkward start to the match for Benfica, who started the match very poorly under heavy pressure from the Austrians. After just three minutes the referee signaled a penalty for a foul by goalkeeper Trubin (far from a brilliant evening…) on Pavlovic, but Konaté shot over. At 15″, already after João Mário had thrown a ball on the post, another penalty, and the Austrians did not make it easy. António Silva cut the ball with his hand that went straight to the goal, he was sent off the field , and Simic did not forgive the punishment.
The early expulsion was an early prerequisite for the strategy of Roger Schmidt, who was forced to make a substitution to balance the team in defense with the expulsion of António Silva, giving up João Mário for Morato. From the 20th minute onwards, however, the Eagles began to break free, with Di María as the main agitator and exploring (and well) the side streets. In the 25th minute, the Argentinian made a great save from a free kick for Schlager. ; two minutes later he shot over, and in the 32nd minute he almost scored from a direct corner.
Despite the game being reduced to 10, Benfica, driven by Di María, benefiting from Rafa’s speed and with João Neves very combative in midfield, finished the first half more dominant, with more possession and more shots on target. And at 39” Musa almost scored, but was in an offside position. The Luz club went to sleep, saw António Silva sent off, but woke up and showed that they were going to discuss the match.
New bucket of cold water early
Benfica again started the second half well and was very close to the equalizer at 50″, with Musa shooting over the ball and Schlager making another great save. But the search for the equalizer forced the team to open up spaces… and Salzburg made it 2-0 on 51″, in a move in which Morato facilitated in a forbidden area, with Simic taking advantage and serving Gloukh for the goal.
The mission, already complicated, became almost impossible. Yet Benfica never gave up. Musa gave the Austrian defenders a hard time, but the best opportunity came from João Neves, with a header in the 56th minute after a Di María corner, before another fine save from Schlager (a performance to remember).
At 72”, Schmidt changed teams and sent David Neres and Chiquinho to replace Di María and Kokçu. Otamendi even tried to reduce it with an acrobatic shot on 74”, and in response Salbzurgo fired into the side netting.
The match ended with no change in the result, with Benfica dropping three points at the start of the Champions League. In the other match in Group D, Real Sociedad and Inter Milan drew 1-1.
Source: DN
