PSV 2 Benfica 2 (3-6 on aggregate)
Europa League Quarter-Final Second Leg
Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
It was always going to be a tough ask, four – one down after the first leg, but for forty-six minutes last night it seemed possible. Benfica coach Jorge Jesus’ pre-match prediction that PSV would “attack whenever possible” didn’t require any Nostradamus-like prophecy, but confirmed the task that PSV faced and the only way they could salvage this tie and progress to the semi-finals.
First-half goals from winger Balazs Dzsudzsak, PSV’s best player in the first leg, and striker Jeremain Lens, given goal scoring responsibility after the misfiring on-loan Swede Marcus Berg was dropped, gave PSV hope that a dramatic comeback was possible.
Unfortunately for the Red White Army Benfica’s charitable mood was over in added time of the first half when a goal from defender and captain Luisao, followed by a converted penalty after 63 minutes from forward Oscar Cardozo sealed the tie for the Eagles.
PSV were forced into making four changes from the first leg with midfielder Ola Toivonen and defender Wilfred Bouma injured and left-back Erik Pieters and captain Orlando Engelaar suspended due to yellow cards picked up the previous week. In came midfielders Stijn Wuytens and Atiba Hutchinson, whilst Abel Tamata and Francisco Rodriguez covered defensive duties. With Marcus Berg also benched in favour of attacking midfielder Zakaira Labyad the line-up was dramatically different.
Benfica, however, made only one change to the side that outclassed and outplayed PSV only seven days before. Portugese defensive midfielder and one-cap wonder Caesar Peixoto coming in for the attacking Pablo Aimar as Jesus’ one display of caution.
The match started in a similar vein to the first leg with Benfica dictating play and providing the early excitement. Argentine midfielder Nicolas Gaitan could, and probably should, have given Benfica the best possible start after 5 mins but his scissor-kick volley from four yards out blazed over the bar.
Last week’s two goal hero Eduardo Salvio tormented young Tamata in the opening 15 minutes on the right flank. Javier Saviola, another one of last week’s goal heroes, could have opened the scoring after nine minutes for the away side but his poor touch after a being gifted a shot on goal from Brazilian defender Marcelo gave the chance for Andreas Isaksson to come out and thwart any threat to his goal.
This near miss sprung PSV into life and in the 14th minute Dutch international striker, Jeremain Lens, made a great run and crossed the ball into the penalty area but there was no PSV player following up to take advantage.
However, just two minutes later, they would not be repeating the same mistake as Lens once again made a good break and crossed the ball into the danger area. This time his perfectly flighted ball was met by Dzsudzsak and he duly hammered the ball into the roof of the net at the far post.
Benfica suffered another blow straight after the goal as Salvio was substituted for midfielder Carlos Martin. Salvio never recovered from a nasty seventh minute challenge by Tamata that earned him a yellow card.
Sensing that there might be the opportunity to increase the pressure on Benfica the Red Whites continued to attack and found another breakthrough on the 24th minute mark. Lens scored at the second time of asking after Eagles keeper Roberto saved his initial right footed poke but fortune favoured the brave and the ball rebounded straight to him and he made no mistake with the second attempt which curled into the low right corner…game on!!
The hope and expectation in the Philips Stadion rose with the noise of the boisterous crowd and the impossible suddenly became, not only possible but also very likely. Dzsudzsak nearly had an opportunity to increase their lead after an uncharacteristic error from defender Maxi Pereira but Roberto ensured no further damage to the score line was done.
If Benfica were waiting for the referees half-time whistle to save them it certainly didn’t look like it as they controlled the majority of possession for the remaining minutes or so of the half, taking the sting out of a buzzing PSVside.
In the last minute of added time the stingers got stung as Brazilian centre-back Luisao grabbed a spectacular goal. Keeper Isaksson failed to deal with Javi Garcia’s in swinging corner clear and Luisao neatly controlled a high ball, before striking a superb volley that arrowed into the top corner and with it killed any hope for PSV.With nothing to lose PSV tried valiantly to force there way back into the tie that was fast tightening around their necks.
However, it was Benfica who still posed the most threat. A left-footed Gaitan strike from the edge of the area brought out the best in Isaksson and from the resulting corner Luisao nearly claimed another goal as his glancing header just went over the bar.
On the 63rd minute the tie was unofficially declared over as a clumsy sliding tackle in the box from Marcelo brought down Piexoto. Cardozo converted the penalty and the travelling away support could start thinking about the semi-final.
Benfica continued to keep any PSV attacks to a minimum with keep ball that Barcelona would be proud of.
Cardozo celebrates his penalty
A raft of substitutions took place from seventy minutes onwards without any real impact.
The final whistle brought and end to a thrilling quarter-final tie that will live long in the memory of all who watched. PSV will be comforted in the knowledge that they are challenging for the Eredivisie championship and a place in next years Champions League. For Benfica, with the league lost, the Europa League is all they have and on their performance over both legs they are going to give it everything they’ve got. FC Braga awaits in the semi-final and I know who my money is on.
Donnie Kemp
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