Benfica 1-1 Manchester United - Champions League Review
Manchester United battled away to a 1-1 draw with Benfica at the Stadium of Light in their first Champion’s League outing of the season.
Manchester United battled away to a 1-1 draw with Benfica at the Stadium of Light in their first Champions League outing of the season. The Portuguese side may well have been underestimated by Sir Alex Ferguson, but his weakened side managed to come away with a point against their main competition in Group C. Oscar Cardozo took the lead for the hosts before Ryan Giggs levelled the game just before the break. In the same fixture in 1968 Manchester United beat Benfica 4-1 to become the first English club to lift the European cup. This group game didnt appear to be quite as important to Sir Alex Ferguson; he made 8 changes to the side that hammered Bolton in preparation for his sides impending Premier League clash with Chelsea on Sunday. Jorge Jesuss side didnt look like pushovers though with world class talent such as Axel Witsel, Pablo Aimar and Oscar Cardozo in the team. Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher, Ji-Sung Park and Antonio Valencia all made their first starts of the season for the Red Devils with the pressure of goals firmly on the shoulders of Wayne Rooney, who led the line. The striker has a remarkable 10 goals already this season. Anders Lindegaard was also handed a start between the sticks. 1,500 fans travelled to Lisbons Stadium of Light, and were hoping their weakened side would have what it took to beat strong opposition. Benfica matched Uniteds 4-3-3 formation with Cardoza, Aimar and Nicolas Gaitan up front. Cardozo has scored an incredible 72 goals in 109 games for the Portuguese side, and was well supported with bags of attacking skill in highly rated youngster Axel Witsel in midfield. There was also a strong backbone to the side with experienced captain Luisao strengthening the defence and ex-Real Madrid man Javi Garcia in the centre of midfield. A cracking atmosphere awaited the two sides, but neither lived up to it in the opening minutes. Javi Garcia did show Ryan Giggs what he was up against though by promptly ploughing into the veteran midfielder. Antonio Valencia showed he was still a little rusty as he latched onto a miss-cued Rooney cross to blast well over; he really should have done better. Patrice Evras striding attacking run beat two Benfica players before he ran into the immovable Luisao. The Brazilian defender was going to be difficult for United to negotiate, he cut out a Michael Carrick pass destined for the feet of Wayne Rooney minutes later. Nicolas Gaitan had a long range effort that didnt trouble Andres Lindegaard, it was a reasonable effort though from the man once rumoured to be on Uniteds radar. Some brilliant fluent passing resulted in another effort from Gaitan, this time it was much closer, magnificently struck by the attacker, it sailed just wide. Benfica were looking the better side so far, Ferguson may have been wondering if he hadnt underestimated his hosts as a Pablo Aimar effort skidded across the turf and into the grateful arms of Lindegaard. If he was wondering his fears were confirmed in the 24th minute as Oscar Cardozo brought down Gaitans pass with a beautiful first touch, took one more to steady himself and then blasted it past Lindegaard with his weaker right foot, leaving hapless Jonny Evans in his wake. A fantastic goal for the hosts. 
Not that it would be the end of the world if Ferguson had made a rare tactical blunder; with just FC Basel and Otelul Galati left to play they were sure to qualify anyway, but as every manager knows winning the group is the only sure-fire way to avoid Barcelona in the next round. Wayne Rooney was cautioned for challenging with keeper Artur after the whistle had blown; the striker protested that he hadnt even heard it. Benfica were defending magnificently, the United players had no time on the ball before being closed down by red shirts. The hosts should have had a free kick in a dangerous position too but the linesman missed Jonny Evans handball. It took a fantastic challenge from Antonio Valencia to deny Gaitan from getting a shot away after Ryan Giggs had cheaply given the ball away to Javi Garcia. The Red Devils came out of nowhere to equalise, Ryan Giggs picked the ball up from Antonio Valencia before running through unchallenged and nailing it right into the top corner from just outside the area. The Welshman has now scored in 22 consecutive seasons. Under the circumstances to go in at half time level would please Ferguson, his team were second best throughout until Giggss effort came out of the blue. He would now have to make sure their momentum could last through to the second half. HALF TIME United shaded the opening minutes in terms of attack, a low crossed ball from Antonio Valencia was beaten away by Artur. It was still Benfica who looked to have the bigger threat though, Cardozo was ruled offside but still showed his class by smashing the ball against both posts. Pablo Aimar then hit a long range effort from 30 yards that flew just past Lindegaards post. A good move from Manchester United almost brought a goal. Park Ji-Sung played it to Carrick whose return pass was immaculate. The ball game into the centre but no-one could get on the end of it, and Darren Fletchers follow-up was straight at Artur. United were in control of the game now but were content to attack methodically. Ryan Giggs was very close to adding his and Manchester Uniteds second. He was played in by Wayne Rooney and some quick feet saw him past Luisao and Maxi Pereira, but his shot was deflected wide by the foot of Artur who had spread himself well. Newly-introduced Nolito had a good chance to retake the lead, some fantastic dribbling allowed Pablo Aimar to play an inch perfect pass to Gaitan who beat Jonny Evans in a foot race before playing in the former Barcelona man, whose low effort was turned over well by Lindegaard. The striker has 5 goals in his 7 Benfica appearances so far. The young Dane was then on hand again to deny the lively Nicolas Gaitan who had tried a shot from range. The Argentinean wasnt deterred though; he had another curling effort that Lindegaard tipped over the bar. Phil Jones had the chance to create a chance for his side as he ran down the right, but he dwelt on the ball too long and was dispossessed. Nolito should have put Benfica ahead, he got the better of Jones before playing a one-two with Cardozo which put him one-one-one with Lindegaard from close range. He put his finish into the outside of the side netting, provoking a sigh of relief from the 1,500 travelling contingent. 
Bruno Cesar was introduced and had one touch a long range effort that was easily gathered by Lindegaard. Damir Skormina brought the game to a close, a reasonable result for Manchester United. Theyll be happy to avoid conceding 3 points to their biggest competition in the group, and will now be able to put a full strength team out against Chelsea. Referee: Damir Skormina Benfica (4-3-3): Artur, Maxi Pereira , Luisao, Garay, Emerson, Ruben Amorim (Nolito, 56), Javi Garcia, Witsel, Aimar (Matic, 21), Cardozo, Gaitan (Cesar, 90 +1) Man Utd (4-3-3): Lindegaard, Evra, Evans, Smalling, Fabio (Jones, 78), Park, Carrick, Fletcher (Hernandez, 69), Giggs, Valencia (Nani, 69), Rooney