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Report: SL Benfica 0 - 0 CD Nacional - 22 December 2008 |
Benfica failed to capitalize on other results and succumbed to a draw in the final game of the year, although still finishing top.
With Porto, Sporting, and Leixões drawing their games it was Benfica's chance to extend their lead and break away from the pack going into the winter closure of the season. Benfica had top place guaranteed this Christmas for the first time in 15 years and the fans were expecting a present in the form of 3 points and nothing less.
The visitors got away to a better start in the first 20 minutes and were the more dangerous side. Moreira looked rather suspicious when he mistimed a corner clearance and left Luís Alberto clean on goal, the ball hit his head unexpectedly and was sent above the unmanned net.
Benfica's keeper was being tested on numerous occasions on the counter whilst the home side only had a couple of long range efforts to show for, keeping Bracalli more than pleased.
The best chance for the «encarnados» was halfway though the first half when Yebda's header hit the ground and bounced high net bound, only for Bracalli to make a fantastic save, typical for visiting goalkeepers at the Luz.
The whistle had barely gone after the interval and Benfica could have found themselves a goal down with some poor defending. Nacional cut the back line open and it was only with some comical defending Edson's angled shot didn't cross the line.
Amorim should have put Benfica ahead on the 60th minute when Suazo passed the ball back into the six yard box but the midfielder could only shoot wide with the pressure from Bracalli, who made an excellent save just a minute later, this time to deny skipper Luisão.
Pedro Henrique sent off Alonso for his second bookable offence and Benfica camped in the opponent's half for the last ten minutes. Quique sent Urreta and Nuno Gomes to partner with Suazo and Cardozo for the all out attack tactic.
It could have gone either away as Cardozo's goal was ruled out on the 91st minute and Nacional were once again inches away in grabbing a surprise goal on the counter attack.
Date: Monday 22nd December - 19:45 GMT
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisboa, Portugal
Competition: Liga Sagres Jornada 12
Referee: Pedro Henriques (AF Lisboa)
Assistant Referees: Gabínio Evaristo, Hernâni Fernandes and André Gralha
Attendance: 36,399
Weather: Clear ~12ºC
TV: Sport TV
BENFICA - Moreira; Maxi Pereira, Luisão (c), Sidnei (Miguel Vítor 29') and Jorge Ribeiro; Rúben Amorim (Urreta 84'), Yebda, Katsouranis and Di María (Nuno Gomes 68'); Cardozo and David Suazo
Subs: Moretto, Miguel Vítor, David Luiz, Binya, Urreta, Balboa, Aimar and Nuno Gomes
Coach: Quique Flores
NACIONAL - Bracalli; Patacas (c), Halliche, Felipe Lopes and Alonso; Edson Sitta (Juninho 69'), Cléber, Luís Alberto and Rúben Micael (Igor Pita 76'); Nenê and Mateus (Nuno Pinto 82')
Subs: Douglas, Igor Pita, João Aurélio, Nuno Pinto, Juninho, Bruno Amaro e Miguel Fidalgo
Coach: Manuel Machado
Goals:
Disciplinary action: Yellow card to Edson (32'), Katsouranis (43'), Alonso (45'), Yebda (47'), Nenê (63'), Cléber (71'), Alonso (78'), Luís Alberto (87'). Red card to Alonso (78')
Highlights: - Click here to see highlights of Benfica 0 - 0 Nacional
With Porto, Sporting, and Leixões drawing their games it was Benfica's chance to extend their lead and break away from the pack going into the winter closure of the season. Benfica had top place guaranteed this Christmas for the first time in 15 years and the fans were expecting a present in the form of 3 points and nothing less.
The visitors got away to a better start in the first 20 minutes and were the more dangerous side. Moreira looked rather suspicious when he mistimed a corner clearance and left Luís Alberto clean on goal, the ball hit his head unexpectedly and was sent above the unmanned net.
Benfica's keeper was being tested on numerous occasions on the counter whilst the home side only had a couple of long range efforts to show for, keeping Bracalli more than pleased.
The best chance for the «encarnados» was halfway though the first half when Yebda's header hit the ground and bounced high net bound, only for Bracalli to make a fantastic save, typical for visiting goalkeepers at the Luz.
The whistle had barely gone after the interval and Benfica could have found themselves a goal down with some poor defending. Nacional cut the back line open and it was only with some comical defending Edson's angled shot didn't cross the line.
Amorim should have put Benfica ahead on the 60th minute when Suazo passed the ball back into the six yard box but the midfielder could only shoot wide with the pressure from Bracalli, who made an excellent save just a minute later, this time to deny skipper Luisão.
Pedro Henrique sent off Alonso for his second bookable offence and Benfica camped in the opponent's half for the last ten minutes. Quique sent Urreta and Nuno Gomes to partner with Suazo and Cardozo for the all out attack tactic.
It could have gone either away as Cardozo's goal was ruled out on the 91st minute and Nacional were once again inches away in grabbing a surprise goal on the counter attack.
Date: Monday 22nd December - 19:45 GMT
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisboa, Portugal
Competition: Liga Sagres Jornada 12
Referee: Pedro Henriques (AF Lisboa)
Assistant Referees: Gabínio Evaristo, Hernâni Fernandes and André Gralha
Attendance: 36,399
Weather: Clear ~12ºC
TV: Sport TV
BENFICA - Moreira; Maxi Pereira, Luisão (c), Sidnei (Miguel Vítor 29') and Jorge Ribeiro; Rúben Amorim (Urreta 84'), Yebda, Katsouranis and Di María (Nuno Gomes 68'); Cardozo and David Suazo
Subs: Moretto, Miguel Vítor, David Luiz, Binya, Urreta, Balboa, Aimar and Nuno Gomes
Coach: Quique Flores
NACIONAL - Bracalli; Patacas (c), Halliche, Felipe Lopes and Alonso; Edson Sitta (Juninho 69'), Cléber, Luís Alberto and Rúben Micael (Igor Pita 76'); Nenê and Mateus (Nuno Pinto 82')
Subs: Douglas, Igor Pita, João Aurélio, Nuno Pinto, Juninho, Bruno Amaro e Miguel Fidalgo
Coach: Manuel Machado
Goals:
Disciplinary action: Yellow card to Edson (32'), Katsouranis (43'), Alonso (45'), Yebda (47'), Nenê (63'), Cléber (71'), Alonso (78'), Luís Alberto (87'). Red card to Alonso (78')
Highlights: - Click here to see highlights of Benfica 0 - 0 Nacional
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