Benfica drew 0-0 this Wednesday against Bologna, in a game in the sixth round of the Champions League. Pavlidis, after just 2 minutes, had a goal disallowed, the Reds still benefited from a handful of other chances but Skorupski was huge in the Italians’ goal.
Without winning for seven consecutive games in European competitions, Bologna arrived at Luz with eight changes compared to the eleven that drew (2-2) with Juventus, at the weekend. Bruno Lage did not hold any surprises, with Kokçu’s return to the starting lineup, to the detriment of Leandro Barreiro, after serving a suspension with Vitória SC.
Party opening
Benfica started strong and, after just 2 minutes, when they first reached Bologna’s goal, they scored, with Di María poking the ball and unmarking Pavlidis. The Greek scored but in an irregular position, quickly identified by the VAR. At 5′ Bologna responded, with Fabbian taking advantage of Florentino’s loss of the ball but with a shot that was very deflected. In the 10th minute, a new initiative from the Italians, with Dallinga gaining space, resulting in Trubin leaving at the feet of the Bologna striker.
Bologna gained confidence, raised the block, Bruno Lage asked for more support from the stands and, in the 16th minute, Pavlidis shook off the pressure with a shot over the top, before Di María, in the 30th minute, shot and won a corner. In the 36th minute Aursnes did the same, with Benfica benefiting from another set piece, which Skorupski held in front of Otamendi.
Occasions to close
At 43, finally, a clear opportunity for a goal arose for Benfica, with Carreras playing on the left flank, crossing and Di María, first time, filling the foot for Skorupski’s defense. After 45′, Carreras again, now with the full-back kicking for Beukema to offer his body to the ball.
Even more Benfica
Without substitutions from either side, the second half began with a yellow card for Florentino, in the 48th minute, and with Trubin in evidence in the 51st minute, blocking Dalinga’s shot, which he won quickly against Otamendi. At 54′ Di María served Pavlidis but the Greek’s shot was weak and easy for Skorupski to handle.
In the 59th minute Benfica responded, with Di María serving Bah, who, in an attempt to cross, shot straight at the goal, with the ball scraping Skorupski’s post. In the 65th minute, another clear chance for Benfica, with Aursnes serving Pavlidis who, inside the area, saw Skorupski fly in to deny him the 1-0.
Benfica pressed higher and higher, with more and more intensity, even though they opened up more spaces at the back. In the 72nd minute, Bruno Lage refreshed the attack, with Beste and Amdouni replacing Akturkoglu and Pavlidis, while Vincenzo Italiano changed four players in one fell swoop.
In the 79th minute, another opportunity for Benfica, with Di María’s shot being blocked by Bologna’s captain, Ferguson. In the next minute, from approximately the same area, an arcing shot from Amdouni and Skorupski, once again, flying to deny the Reds’ celebration. Bruno Lage took a risk and launched Arthur Cabral, serving the yellow Kokçu, in the 81st minute. In the 88th minute Vincenzo Italiano ran out of changes, with Corazza replacing the injured Posch.
In the 90th minute, Skorupski, with another great save after a strong shot from Amdouni, kept the score goalless until the referee’s final whistle, even in the face of six minutes of added time and the enormous final pressure from the Reds. With this result, Benfica reached 10 points, before matches with Juventus and Barcelona, while Bologna only added their second point in the competition.
Flashscore man of the match: Skorupski (Bologna)
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