Champions League: the beautiful operation of Benfica Lisbon against PSG

Neymar (g) during the match against Benfica Lisbon, October 5, 2022. AFP - FRANCK FIFE

Text by: Farid Achache Follow

2 mins

Benfica Lisbon held Paris Saint-Germain in check this Wednesday, October 5 at the “Estadio da Luz” stadium.

The Parisians opened the scoring through Lionel Messi before equalizing after an own goal from Danilo Pereira.

Both clubs have 7 points in Group H.

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A ball in the skylight while PSG was largely in difficulty against Benfica in the first twenty.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a technical gesture, like in the good old days of Barça, on a decisive pass from Neymar (22nd).

It should be noted that the Parisians were beginning to doubt when Benfica already had three shots on target, in particular with Gonçalo Ramos, the Portuguese club's main offensive asset, which the PSG defenders had to contain.

Donnarumma never shivered 

In the 18th minute, Donnarumma had saved Paris, when the Brazilian David Neres attempted a cross shot from the right that the Parisian goalkeeper repelled with his hand.

It must be said that against Messi and others stood up against a Benfica double winner of the Champions League (1961, 1962), currently leader of its championship.

The day before the match, PSG coach Christophe Galtier felt that the key to the match against Benfica Lisbon lay in the ability of his players to "

 ".

He wasn't wrong.

And the Italian goalkeeper did not tremble again when Antonio Silva was close to equalizing by opening his right foot on a blocked ball (37th).

But in the end, Paris Saint-Germain was punished with an own goal from Danilo Pereira on a cross from Argentinian Enzo Fernández (41st).

Since the start of the competition, PSG have taken the bad habit of conceding goals en route, such as against Juventus Turin (2-1) and Maccabi Haifa (3-1), signs of their recurring defensive weaknesses.

Tied on points with Paris Saint-Germain at the top of Group H of the Champions League, Benfica Lisbon counted on the advantage of playing in their "Estadio da Luz" to score a result against a Parisian trio without equal on the planet football (Messi, Neymar, Mbappé).

In the second half, Neymar could double the bet with an acrobatic return which touched the crossbar and a free kick repelled by the doorman (49th and 55th).

Without counting on the fantastic stop of the Portuguese goalkeeper on a powerful strike from Mbappé (68th).

At the end of the game, Donnarumma still saves Paris on an offensive by Rafa Silva (81st).

At the "Estadio da Luz" stadium, no French club left with the victory.

The two teams will meet next Tuesday at the Parc des Princes for the 4th day.

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