A late Rui Costa goal ensured SL Benfica took the advantage from the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against FC København.
uefa.com / Rui Costa breaks København hearts
Canadian international Atiba Hutchinson scored in a losing cause Tuesday as FC Copenhagen was beaten 2-1 by Portugal's Benfica in the third qualifying round of the Champions League.
globesports.com / Canadian scores in losing cause in Champions League
Freddy Adu made his European debut Tuesday, drawing cheers when he entered as a first-half substitute for Benfica of Portugal during its 2-1 Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen. [...] Adu, one of the highest-profile players in Major League Soccer, got a taste of how hard it is to please Benfica's fans. The team was jeered off the field at halftime.
FOX (AP) / Champions League - Adu makes European debut with Benfica
Quick verdict: Solid tactical team performance - masterminded by coach Solbakken no doubt - to leave Benfica helpless in the offense for long stretches of the game. Outstanding performances by William Kvist and Michael Gravgaard - and good ones too by Jesper Christiansen, Jesper Grønkjær and a few others. Remember what no international media outlets chose to mention: Rui Costa's first goal came after one of the worst passes made since 1986 when Denmark's Jesper Olsen handed the ball to the Spanish offensive at the World Cup in Mexico. And actually his second came while some Copenhageners were busy asking the ref for a penalty.
Unlike last time Copenhagen visited Benfica, this time their mascot eagle went straight for it's snack thereby not forecasting a home team triumph. 2-1 is the slimmest possible win in this type of games as only 46% of the first leg home teams that make it ends up with aggregate wins.
2 comments:
Lengthy match review: "FC Copenhagen outplayed Portuguese power Benfica in their Champions League matchup but lost due to two gaffes"
Source: The Copenhagen Post
Benfica is a tough draw early in the competition. Let's hope FC can pull one out at home tomorrow and progress at least as far as they did last season.
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