Benfica are the pride of Portugal as they defeat Marseille in the Europa League in dramatic fashion

By Dominic Vieira

Marseille 1 -2 Benfica (2-3 Aggregate), Vélodrome Stadium
1-0 Niang (70’), 1-1 Maxi Pereira (74’); 2-1 Kardec (90’)

Marseille (4-3-3): Mandanda ©; Bonnart, Diawarra, M´Bia e Taiwo; Cissé, Lucho, Cheyrou (Kaboré 75’); Abriel (Koné 44’, Ben Arfa, 90+2’), Niang, Brandão
 Subs: Elinton Andrade, Hilton, Kaboré, Ben Arfa, Valbuena, Morientes, Koné
Manager: Didier Deschamps

Benfica (4-4-2): Júlio César; Maxi Pereira (Miguel Vítor 90+4’), Luisão ©, David Luiz e Fábio Coentrão; Javi García, Ramires, Carlos Martins (Kardec 86’), Di María; Saviola (Aimar 77 m’), Cardozo
Subs: Moreira, Miguel Vítor, Airton, Aimar, Felipe Menezes, Kardec, Weldon

Manager: Jorge Jesus

After a poor 1-1 draw against Marseille at the Estádio da Luz; Benfica knew that they had to play at their best if they were to beat the Marseille on their home soil. Historically, Benfica have a bad record playing in France, but the extremely ambitious Jorge Jesus and his team intended to change that record.

It was an intense, physical, and fast game. The first half remained goalless, but Benfica were the dominant team. They were extremely unlucky not to have scored a goal. Cardozo smashed a ball against the post from a powerful shot outside the box and Di María could have scored a sitter. Also, there were two penalties that should have been awarded in favour of Benfica; especially the first one where Taiwo clearly brings down Ramires.

The second half was a different match. True European football was played, and both teams were fighting for a goal, Marseille certainly didn’t play for the 0-0 draw. On the 70th minute, Marseille had a free kick and after poor defending and communication, Niang slotted the ball into the back of the net. 1-0! The Vélodrome went wild! Benfica did not give up and moments later Maxi Pereira equalized and in some style! From that point onwards, Marseille tactically collapsed and lost focus. After high Benfica pressure, new boy Alan Kardec slotted the winning goal in the 86th minute which originated from a free kick. There was no chance that Marseille would score two goals.

Benfica are known as one of Europe’s greatest clubs, but it has been a long time since they have reached a final, 20 years to be precise. They have appeared in 7 Champions League finals (won it twice) and were runners up in the UEFA Cup (now known as the Europa League). This season Benfica have played brilliantly in the Europa League, with outstanding performances against Everton, Hertha Berlin and now Marseille. They are certainly candidates to win the Europa League and possess the quality to reach the final. The team deserved to win tonight; in a game which Benfica had to work hard to beat Marseille. The Vélodrome is not an easy stadium to play in and Benfica did were the best team on the night.

Benfica’s arch rivals, Sporting, tied 2-2 tonight in Lisboa against Atlético Madrid. Unfortunately, a 0-0 draw in Madrid, meant that Sporting would only qualify for the quarterfinals if they won the match. They could have won the game and created many goal scoring chances, but in football, if you don’t score, they will. That was the case tonight.