Benfica and Manchester United played out a 1–1 draw in their Champions League Group C opener at Lisbon’s Stadium of Light. In a game where caution was the order of the day, both goals came in the first half and were of the highest quality.
Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardoza put Benfica ahead on 24 minutes before the ageless Ryan Giggs evened things up three minutes before the break.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson picked a very different team from that which has set the Premier League alight in the early weeks of the season, opting for the tried and trusted over youthful exuberance. Consequently, there were starts for Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia, and Ji-Sung Park. Danish goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard was surprisingly preferred to David De Gea.
An interesting statistic was that only one member of the current Benfica side—Ruben Amorim—is a native Portuguese; a far cry indeed from the 1960s when that legendary outfit was virtually interchangeable with the Portuguese national team.
Benfica today may not be considered a serious contender for the Champions League crown, but the history between these two former winners is such that any fixture between them is always eagerly anticipated by both set of supporters. Those of a certain age will remember the magic weaved by the likes of George Best and Eusebio in many an epic battle.
There was little magic on display in this one for the first quarter of an hour or so, and it was not until the 19 minute mark that Lindegaard was called upon to save an attempt from Oscar Cardozo.
The game was then brought to life by two sublime pieces of skill. Nicolas Gaitan flicked a lovely ball over the United defense with the outside of his right foot. Cardozo took the ball on his chest, turned Jonny Evans with ease and planted the ball into the United net.
United had threatened little for most of the first half with most of their best moments coming from Valencia down the right, and it was Valencia who found Giggs in space about 25 yards out on 42 minutes. There were several Benfica defenders between Giggs and the goal but they made the mistake of backing off and giving him the room he needed to unleash a vintage left-footed drive that positively screamed into the top corner.
Happy With a Point
The second half produced chances for both sides but none were taken. Fletcher looked rusty as he failed to bring the ball under control in the 63rd minute when directly in front and only 10 yards out.
The Scot was substituted shortly afterwards. Then Giggs was denied a second only by the trailing left foot of Benfica goalkeeper Artur that deflected the ball wide.
At the other end, Lindegaard earned his money with a fine save off Nolito after a sweeping counter attack by the home side. Ten minutes later the Dane was again called upon to produce his best to deny Gaitan. The Argentine was probably Benfica’s best player on the night.
Indecision in the United defense gave Nolito a chance to win it just three minutes from full time but the Spaniard scuffed his shot wide.
Both teams appeared happy with their point at this early stage of the tournament, secure in the knowledge that the other two clubs in the group should not provide too much opposition, barring a major upset.
City and Napoli Draw
In an entertaining encounter at the City of Manchester stadium, the home side dominated the first half but failed to make it count on the score sheet. Then, as so often happens in such circumstances, it was the other team that went ahead.
A fine goal from Edinson Cavani put the visitors one up after 69 minutes. However, parity was restored via an Aleksandar Kolarov free kick six minutes later.
The City faithful will be disappointed not to have managed a win in their first outing in the modern Champions League but, all things considered, a draw was probably a fair result.
Bayern Munich go to the top of what is being termed this year’s “group of death” after a solid 2–0 win away to Villarreal.
