Benfica traveled to France to face Lyon just two weeks after earning their first victory in their Champions League campaign against the same French side but the club fell behind early and could not recover losing 3-1. This was Benfica's third loss in four contests, making their outlook for progression to the Champions League round of 16 less likely. Bruno Lage continued to tinker with his starting lineup dressing a squad with an average age of 22.7 years for the contest while regular starters Pizzi, Andre Almeida and Seferovic watched from the sidelines. Benfica President Luis Filipe Vieira's Champions League plan for the club may be to show off the academies developing players then actually trying to win contests, which is disappointing for the legion of the clubs fans across the globe who have watched smaller sides like Ajax and Monaco make runs over the last few years.
Lyon would open the scoring quick just four minutes into the game when a Dubois cross landed in between Benfica keeper Vladchodimos and his defenders, Lyon center back Andersen would get a head on it, thumping the ball into the back of the net to give Lyon the lead. Aouar would then send a cross towards goal at the twelve minute mark and as Vladchodimos rushed off his line to punch it clear he collided with center back Ferro, knocking the youngster out of the game with what appeared to be a concussion, Ferro was attended to by the medical staff and taken off on a
stretcher, he was replaced by veteran Jardel. Lyon would then get a chance to double their lead halfway through the first half as Aouar found Dembele but the striker's touch was too heavy and Vladchodimos was there to claim the ball.
Benfica continue their busy schedule of
games as they travel to France to take on Lyon in their fourth game of the Champions League. Benfica will be looking for another win against Lyon as they try to climb out of the basement of their group and into a qualifying spot in the round of 16. The
game
will take place today at 8pm WEST and 18 players from the list below
will
dress for the game.
Keepers- Vlachodimos, Ivan Zlobin, Mile Svilar
Defenders- Ferro, Alex Grimaldo, Jardel, Tomas Tavares, Andre Almeida, Ruben Dias, Nuno Tavares
Midfielders- Pizzi, Franco Cervi, Gedson Fernandes, Gabriel, Florentino, Taarabt, Chiquinho
Forwards- Seferovic, Jota, Carlos Vinicius, Raul de Tomas
Benfica have ended a run of three league games in seven days, gaining maximum points in all their encounters and vaulting the Lisbon club into top spot in all of Portugal two points in front of second place side FC Porto and four points in front of third place Famalicao. Benfica kicked off their busy campaign with a uninspiring 1-0 victory over Tondela on the road, were an early Ferro header helped Benfica escape with the victory. Benfica manager Bruno Lage would then make five changes to the starting eleven as Benfica would host Portimonense mid-week. The changes seemed to spark Benfica offensively as the club cruised to a 4-0 win as Carlos Vinicius earning his first league start, lead the way with a brace while Andre Almeida and Ruben Dias scored the other markers. Benfica left back Grimaldo chipped in three helpers in his man of the match performance.
This victory along with an FC Porto draw in Madeira against Maritimo vaulted Benfica into top spot in the league. Benfica would then end their week with another home tilt this time against Rio Ave, earning another clean sheet and their eighth of the season in a 2-0 victory, Pizzi and Ruben Dias would score for the league leading Eagles. Benfica will now turn their focus to tomorrows Champions League encounter against Lyon as they look to escape the basement of their group hoping to hand the French side another loss.
