Matchday Three round-up

Benfica are back in contention to qualify from Champions League knockout stage after a 2-1 victory over Lyon. Rafa Silva scored early, Memphis Depay equalised in the second half, before a crass mistake from Lyon’s Portuguese goalkeeper Anthony Lopes allowed Pizzi to net a late winner. Benfica remain bottom of Group G, but are only three points behind leaders RB Leipzig and one back from 2nd-place Zenit with all four teams in with a shout of making progress.

Elsewhere, after goals galore and bright performances all round from foreign-based Portuguese players in matchday two, this week saw a largely disappointing set of matches from the Portuguese point of view. PortuGOAL rounds up all the action as the 2019/20 Champions League group stage reaches the halfway stage. 

Benfica 2-1 Lyon

Once again Benfica coach Bruno Lage caused a surprise with his Champions League team selection, with captain Pizzi starting the match on the bench. Adel Taarabt also had to look on from the outside as Florentino Luís and Gabriel were paired in the middle, while Rafa Silva returned after recovering from injury.

And it was Rafa who gave Benfica the perfect start, rifling into the net from 15 yards out after being assisted by Cervi. The Portuguese winger’s night was soon over however, as he suffered a reoccurrence of his groin injury and had to be replaced by Pizzi on 20 minutes.

Lyon were now enjoying plenty of possession, causing problems especially down Benfica’s left-hand side, and the French side were close to equalising when only a last-ditch Grimaldo interception denied Maxwel Cornet. Benfica hit back and Grimaldo started a good move, his raking cross-field ball freeing the impressive Tomás Tavares, who crossed low for Seferovic but the Swiss striker’s powerful effort was too high and flew over the bar.

Benfica player ratings and post-match video reaction

In the second half Benfica were increasingly pushed back, and after having survived a deflected Cornet shot that hit the underside of the bar, it was little surprise when the visitors equalised, Depay ghosting in at the far post to guide the ball into the net from close range in the 70th minute.

The French outfit were now on top, Vlachodimos producing a flying save to deny Depay, but Benfica were not finished and five minutes from time Pizzi sent a 25-yard effort thudding against the post.

One minute later Benfica grabbed the lead with a remarkable goal. Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes attempted to start a quick attack but his throw out was seized upon by Pizzi who hit a first-time shot into the unguarded net from fully 40 yards out. Next up for Benfica is the return leg of this fixture in France.

By Tom Kundert, at the Estádio da Luz

Portuguese abroad round-up

Group B, Portuguese contingent at Olympiacos downed by Bayern

Olympiacos 2-3 Bayern

Pedro Martins’ side hosted Bavarian giants Bayern Munich in Athens with the Greek side having played well in the competition thus far but failing to get results they perhaps deserved. José Sá, Rúben Semedo and Daniel Podence all started for the hosts. Olympiacos went ahead through  Youssef El-Arabi in the 23rd minute but the lead lasted all but 10 minutes. Thomas Müller unleashed a strike which was acrobatically kept out by José Sá but unfortunately it was Robert Lewandowski who was quickest to the rebound, smashing home. The Polish hitman then put Bayern ahead in the 62nd minute before Tolisso ensured all three points with a third 15 minutes from time. Guilherme pulled one back for the Greek giants but it wasn’t to be. Daniel Podence had a quiet game, struggling to get on the ball and make chances. Rúben Semedo, like Podence, didn’t have the greatest of games, however against a side with as much quality as Bayern, he can hardly be blamed.

Things get no easier for Pedro Martins’ men who have to travel to the Allianz next in the Champions League to play the reverse of this fixture.

Group C, Luís Castro held at home, City stroll to victory

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 Dinamo Zagreb

Luís Castro’s men are absolutely flying in their domestic league with 11 straight victories and 33 points. In the Champions League they came into this game with 1 win and 1 defeat and still with qualification a possibility.

Konoplyanka put the Ukrainian side ahead after 16 minutes, a lead which lasted less than 10 minutes as Zagreb squared proceedings through Dani Olmo. The game could have easily ended in defeat for Castro’s men as they went 2-1 down following a Mislav Oršic goal. Dodô came to Shakhtar’s rescue with a goal 15 minutes from time. It was not a terrible result against a decent Dinamo side, however Castro will think this was an opportunity missed to get all three points, especially at home. The next game for Shakhtar is the return fixture. Shakhtar currently sit 3rd in Group C on four points, level with Dinamo in second. It is safe to say that Man City will finish top, but the other qualification spot is up for grabs.

Manchester City 5-1 Atalanta

Bernardo Silva and João Cancelo both started the game on the bench in what turned out a convincing victory for Pep Guardiola’s side who put 5 goals past their Italian opponents, courtesy of a Raheem Sterling hat-trick and a brace from Agüero. Cancelo came on in the 72nd minute and played at left-back, replacing Benjamin Mendy with the game already sewn up at 5-1. Bernardo Silva was an unused substitute.

Group D, Juve on course for knockouts, João Mário’s efforts denied

Juventus 2-1 Lokomotiv Moscow

In Turin, Juventus hosted Lokomotiv Moscow in a game that featured three Portuguese players in the starting line-up. Two of Portugal’s Euro 2016 heroes started, with João Mario in a midfield and striker Eder playing as the number 9 for the Russian. For Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo took his place at the heart of the attack.

Lokomotiv took the lead courtesy of a fantastic Miranchuk finish following great work from João Mario. Mario’s shot was palmed into the path of Miranchuk by Szczesny allowing the Russian to finish. Cristiano as always was persistent, constantly trying to make things happen and roaming across the front line. He managed three shots on target and was unlucky not to score. It began to look like it would be a famous Lokomotiv victory in Italy until Paulo Dybala stole the show. In the 77nd minute he equalised and just two minutes later grabbed the winner. A tough lesson for a plucky Lokomotiv.

Eder worked hard throughout to support his strike partner but his own attacking prowess just wasn’t there as he was unable to produce a shot on target.

Group F, Semedo’s Barça win again, Guerreiro loses

Slavia Praha 1-2 FC Barcelona

FC Barcelona and Nélson Semedo didn’t have the greatest of nights in Prague but still came away with a 2-1 victory. Leo Messi put the Catalan giants 1-0 up inside three minutes but FCB were pegged back by a Jan Boril goal. Luis Suarez managed to get all three points for his side by hitting a shot against Olayinka which went in in the 57th minute.

Semedo did well defensively, making 6 tackles and 4 clearances against a Slavia side that were constantly trying to apply pressure. The right-back didn’t have much of an opportunity to get forward and put in one cross in the match.

Inter 2-0 Borussia Dortmund

Raphael Guerriero played just 9 minutes in a 2-0 defeat to Italian side Inter, managing 7 touches and 5 passes. Lautaro Martinez and Candreva scored the goals to give Inter the win and put them back in contention to qualify for the next round.

Group H, Lille earn first point

LOSC Lille 1-1 Valencia

In Lille, the French side with Tiago Djaló and José Fonte in the starting line-up celebrated a last-minute equaliser which felt like a winner as the Ligue 1 outfit collected their first Champions League point. It was Jonathan Ikoné who scored a 95th minute goal after Denis Cheryshev had put Valencia 1-0 up after 63 minutes. José Fonte had a good game, solid as usual making 4 clearances and 2 tackles. He played the full 90 minutes as he captained his side to a point. Tiago Djaló also had a solid game without being overly tested, before being withdrawn on 87 minutes.

Renato Sanches and Gonçalo Guedes both missed out through injury.

By Aaron Barton

(All statistics used are courtesy of the @SofaScore Database)