Benfica lack of attack proves costly in loss to Bayern

Benfica went to Munich and faced a tough challenge in their Champions League game against Bayern but their choice to sit back and play conservatively, while trying to contain Bayern's attack turned into a costly mistake as the club lost 1-0 and failed to register a single shot on goal.

When teams decide to play defensively, they often hope to frustrate their opponents while waiting for a chance to strike. In theory, this sounds good, but the reality can be different. Benfica’s plan to sit deep against a powerful Bayern Munich team meant they gave up control of the game. This left them vulnerable to Bayern's relentless attacking.

A shocking stat from the match is that Benfica failed to register any shots on target. That’s right—no attempts to challenge Bayern’s keeper. This lack of offensive effort indicates how deeply they had committed to defense, but it also highlights a troubling reality: when you don't attack, you’re not putting any pressure on your opponent. In football, you can’t win if you don’t hit the target.

The turning point came in the second half when Bayern found the net at the 67th minute mark. Their constant pressure finally broke through Benfica’s defense. This goal summarized the match perfectly—while Benfica focused on holding off attacks, they left themselves vulnerable to that crucial mistake. In football, one slip can lead to defeat, and that’s exactly what happened here. 

Benfica's attempt to hold off a team like Bayern with just a defensive mindset is a gamble that didn’t pay off. While defending is essential, creating opportunities is just as vital. A balanced approach where they defend but also look to counterattack could have brought a different outcome.

Some may say Benfica was looking ahead to this weekend's Classico against FC Porto but Bruno Lage needs to leave the Roger Schmidt football behind as the club's poor game plan saw them lose their second consecutive game in the competition. The club now sits 19th after four games with another four games remaining and next face a red hot Monaco in France in hopes of turning this campaign around.