Benfica beat wasteful Dortmund

By Daily Sports on February 15, 2017

 Benfica made Borussia Dortmund pay for missing a host of chances, as the Portuguese side snatched a 1-0 win in their Champions League last-16 first leg in Lisbon on Tuesday thanks to forward Kostas Mitroglou’s 13th goal in his last 13 games.

Greece international Mitroglou flicked the ball into the net to open the scoring in the 48th minute and Benfica then held on against their misfiring opponents to take a slender lead into the second leg in Dortmund on March 8.

Benfica, who have now not conceded a goal at home for 383 minutes, kept another clean sheet thanks largely to keeper Ederson, who denied the Germans with a string of superb saves.

Dortmund, who had netted a record 21 times in the group stage, missed a second-half penalty through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who also squandered several other scoring chances on a night to forget for the Gabon striker.

“We ended up scoring a goal in a situation we had been working for,” said Benfica coach Rui Vitoria. “In order to play such teams one has to be prepared to suffer at the limit. We had our problems getting out of our own half to attack.

“Now we know what we have to do in the return leg. Scoring a goal there will have a huge impact,” the Portuguese said.

Benfica, who had striker Jonas ruled out through injury just before kickoff, got off to an explosive start but Dortmund began to dominate possession and gradually slowed the game down.

The visitors, looking to counter their lacklustre domestic form with European success, missed a huge chance when Aubameyang, the Bundesliga’s leading scorer, fired over the bar after an outstanding through ball from Ousmane Dembele in the 10th minute.

Benfica captain Luisao was making his 500th club appearance and was kept busy at the heart of the Benfica defence, with Dembele sneaking into the box and forcing a superb save from keeper Ederson in the 23rd.

Aubameyang then missed another good opportunity before the break and Benfica were quick out of the blocks again after the restart with Mitroglou doing well to control a Luisao header and then beating keeper Roman Buerki from close range.

Aubameyang almost drew Dortmund level in the 53rd and then had a penalty, awarded for a hand ball on the hour, saved by Benfica’s Brazilian keeper.

Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel put Aubameyang out of his misery by substituting him soon after and following a sensational save from Ederson with six minutes left, the hosts held on to celebrate victory.

“We cannot do much more than carve out these golden chances,” Tuchel told reporters. “We will now need efficiency in the return leg if we are to advance.” (© Reuters)

•Photo by Gallo Images shows Benfica match winner Kostas Mitroglou.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 15, 2017


 

You may also like...
Wenger’s future at Arsenal will be decided after...

Nigerian shotput specialist, Enekwachi set new African record,...

Bendel Insurance unveil midfielder Tamara

Pacquiao trainer, Roach thinks he should retire

Okocha Knocks Ronaldo For Claiming Fernandes Goal

Sen Ubah, Veteran Journalist, Others Make List For...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,383 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,392 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,542 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,214 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (41,999 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,876 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,759 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,217 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,267 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,178 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,626 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,204 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media