SL Benfica 3-1 AGF Aarhus
There has been no grey area for this Benfica side under their newly-appointed manager Marco Silva. After a calamitous 2-1 defeat against St. Gallen to open their season, along with a 2-2 draw in their opening league fixture, the Lisbon club bounced back and have scored a whopping 22 goals in their first six matches. It was just a question of which Benfica would show up tonight. Luckily for the home supporters at the Luz, it didn't take long for the Eagles to reveal the answer.
An early goal from Rafa Silva came barely 90 seconds into the match, with Leandro Barreiro and Pavlidis adding to their personal tallies this season late in the first half. In the end, Benfica will have a healthy two-goal cushion when they travel to Denmark next week. Silva’s men will need to avoid a heavy defeat in Denmark, and if they can achieve that, will join 35 of Europe’s top clubs in the league phase of the competition.
Early Rafa goal sets the tone
Barreiro was critical in the build-up, and a low cross into the box pinballed around before Rafa powered into the roof of the net from close range. It took a few snaps at goal before the ball dropped to Rafa, goalkeeper Mads Hedenstad saving the Portuguese forward’s initial effort brilliantly, but the No27 was able to remain calm and provide a lethal finish.
Benfica’s press was relentless and shook the visitors in the opening minutes. Rafa, Prestianni and Pavlidis all had opportunities to chalk up a second goal in the first 20 minutes.
The Jutland-based club’s first real effort came in the 28th minute, a tame effort from Ugandan striker James Bogere, his effort sailing over the bar with no real threat.
In the 31st minute, it was Leandro who was rewarded for his hard work, with the midfielder latching on to a rebound after keeper Mads Hedenstad did well to palm the ball away from a Benfica corner.
Jorgensen hits back for Danes
Against the run of play, Aarhus struck back, with Sebastian Jorgensen converting from just inside the box after some careless play from Clément Lenglet gifted the ball to the visitors.
Benfica, though, didn’t take long to respond. A handball in the box saw a penalty awarded just before the interval, and the Reds re-established their two-goal lead when Pavlidis powered a shot into the top right-hand corner, his tenth goal of the season in just six matches.
Benfica dominate second half, but fail to convert
It was a more structured Benfica that appeared on the pitch in the second half, but the home side still dominated the possession and the chances through the opening 30 minutes of the half. Richard Ríos was brought on by Silva to replace the tiring Barreiro. Pavlidis was withdrawn in the 71st minute with former Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán given the opportunity to show what he could offer.
Andreas Schjelderup, who was brought on alongside Durán, had Benfica’s best chance of the half, unleashing a left-footed shot in the 77th minute which forced keeper Hedenstad to fully extend himself and parry the ball just past the post.
Rafa and Leandro were the stars in the first half, and their performance really made the difference on the night. There remains 90 minutes in this two-leg fixture, but baring an upset in Denmark, the Eagles delegation could be on their way to attending the Europa League draw, which is set to take place on 28 August.
Fredrik Aursnes receives vocal reception
After a strenuous World Cup campaign, Aursnes has been tipped to resume the key role he has played for Benfica over several seasons as the club look to work their way back to the top of the Portuguese league and regain their place in the Champions League. The midfielder was named the Benfica captain, and will be a vital piece in Silva’s approach. Aursnes suffered a muscle injury that saw him miss the first few weeks of the season, but the Norwegian was reintroduced to the pitch in the 84th minute, to the delight of the Benfiquistas. His impact was limited, but his presence certainly will bring more confidence to the players, and add some healthy competition within the squad.
Lineups:
SL Benfica: Samuel Soares, Alexander Bah, Tomás Araújo, Clément Lenglet, Samuel Dahl, Enzo Barrenechea, Leandro Barreiro (Richard Ríos, 66'), Rafa Silva (Jakub Kamiński, 84'), Gianluca Prestianni (Andreas Schjelderup, 71'), Georgiy Sudakov (Fredrik Aursnes, 84'), Vangelis Pavlidis (Jhon Durán, 71')
AGF: Mads Hedenstad, Jacob Andersen, Colin Rosler (Rasmus Carstensen, 56'), Eric Kahl, Mouhammade Camara, Sebastian Jorgensen (Stefen Tchamche, 56'), Magnus Knudsen (Jens Jønsson, 73'), Kristian Arnstad, James Bogere (Mikael Anderson, 81'), Frederik Emmery (Gift Links, 73'), Tobias Bech
Goals:
[1-0] Rafa Silva, 2’
[2-0] Leandro Barreiro, 31’
[2-1] Sebastian Jorgensen, 36’
[3-1] Vangelis Pavlidis (pen), 45’
