It was a glorious night yesterday (May 1) for Portuguese champions Benfica, as the national side held Juventus to a 0-0 draw in their own stadium to reach its second Europa League final in a row.
Having beaten the Italians in Estádio da Luz 2-1 in the first leg of the semi-finals, the number one priority for the second match was clear – no goals could be conceded.
And although Antonio Conte’s squad created numerous chances to score the all-important goal, they either went off-target or were denied by Benfica’s 21-year-old whiz kid goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Even when reduced to 10 players after Argentine’s Enzo Pérez and Garay were sent-off and injured respectively, the Eagles put on a fierce display of defending and team-work that Juventus could not better.
For the Italians, the result was heart-breaking as the competition’s final will be played at their home stadium in Torino, but for Benfica it was the confirmation of a ‘dream season’.
The Reds have already been crowned Portuguese champions – with two matches still to go – and reached the finals of both the Portuguese Cup (Taça de Portugal) and League Cup (Taça da Liga).
After losing to Chelsea in last year’s Europa League final in compensation time, Benfica will surely lack no motivation to clinch its first European title since 1962.
By MICHAEL BRUXO
March 30, 2023 Edition
PORTUGAL RESIDENT
Printed Edition